Belize Times April 19, 2020- Actions Needed Now!

APP

The Belize Times

Established 1957

19 APRIL 2020 | ISSUE NO: 5194

The Truth Shall Make You Free

www.belizetimes.biz | $1.00

Despicable Doug and UDP Hypocrisy Just when the blue sky couldn’t get any warmer this past Tuesday, Belize’s Zen was shattered by a UDP-clap which inexorably unearthed the UDP’s vile soul masked under the facade called the government of Belize. Such monster has been flailing and failing for many moons but between denial and desperation, the Prime Minister has managed to fix and legislate with prolix and acts most of the UDP’s deep reality.

Today and when approaching beyond, journalist Aaron’s audio of an interview with SSB Chairman Doug Singh will without doubt be forever

clipped-on to explications of Barrow’s UDP collective infamy.

Cast into the leading role and villain is Douglas Singh playing the part of abominable crassmouthed UDP crony.

Aaron Humes, a journalist for Belize Breaking News, called on the now ex-Chief Executive Officer of Belize’s Social Security Board and was granted an interview. Such interviews are obvi-

Pg. 2

FEED ME SEYMOUR The very human tendency of blaming the bearer of bad tidings was in much evidence this past Wednesday. While the messenger, Aaron Humes, was thrown under the bus by two of his own, it is of little consequences because as much as they want to kill the professional career of the messenger, they cannot kill the message. Boy! What a message it

PARTY LEADER: ACTIONS NEEDED Pg. 7 NOW! Medics Threatened by the UDP Government Pg. 20

was, the unscripted and raw missive gave us an eye opening view into the manner in which members of the ruling party’s upper class view all the Normal Belizeans who are currently stressed and anxious over the financial challenges they face in light of the threat of the COVID-19 virus and the social

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BYM President Arrested Pg. 8

UDP POLITICIZES EVERYTHING INCLUDING FOOD Pg. 9

BE SAFE: Do NOT Leave Home Unnecessarily

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19 APR

THE BELIZE TIMES

2020

Despicable Doug and UDP Hypocrisy

Continued from page 1 ously for public exposition. Even lowly Doug Singh should know that basic rule; but maybe, COVID had begun to peel away at his ability to mislead and thus revealed that he qualified not to be the CEO of our SSB nor Chair of our Elections & Boundaries Commission nor anything else granted to him only and simply by being a part of the UDP fiefdom. Yes, he was given these positions for free so he has no complaints as he placed himself in social quarantine and desolation‌except from other UDPs just like him.

What followed after Mr. Humes asked Mr. Singh about the complaints rolling in from Belizean people tired of waiting for cash from Government’s COVID Relief Fund was Doug Singh pissing over everything that he could publicly piss over...again. This time his words left everyone aghast that the keeper of the poor people’s security in their old age was unabashedly cursing them and labeling these same hard workers as ‘crackheads’ and calling them (expletive) people.

The People’s United Party called for Mr. Singh to be fired but the CEO resigned just before this public release. Singh’s resignation effectively came a couple hours after the premiering of his non-fictitious regurgitation of UDP bile.

Even Saldivar waited a few more hours.

Calling on all journalists...We

need to stand beside Aaron for doing his job and informing the Belizean people. As one caller to the Morning Whip on Vibes put it, Aaron provided “a peephole into the elitist UDP.� Belizeans need to “wake up and shake up.�

Doug Singh’s resignation and unapologetic letter showed how a single non-elected(like Peyrefitte) can “rake and scrape� and seemingly be in charge of everything. Such is the abnormal pedigree of the unconscionable 2020 UDP. COVID is for real. UDP innate incompetence has infected Belizean society with its political spikes for 12 years now.

Belizeans in quarantine can now clearly see who their government is. Aaron’s audio is the long awaited Anti-UDP vaccine.

One by one the UDP will resign as COVID strips their robes and uncovers their incompetence and inadequacies and corruption. Doug Singh and the UDP are despicable and their hypocrisy reeks.

Mr. Barrow shouldn’t worry about Belize as the PUP is waiting in the wings. Johnny BriceĂąo et al are ready to lead Belize away from COVID-19 and away from the most virulent UDP. “Wow!!â€?, said Mr. Humes at the end of the interview.

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

For Immediate Release

SINGH MUST BE FIRED FROM THE SSB

Â? ƒ ”‡…‘”†‡† ‹Â?Â–Â‡Â”Â˜Â‹Â‡Â™ÇĄ ™Š‹…Š Šƒ• ‰‘Â?‡ Â˜Â‹Â”ÂƒÂŽÇĄ ‘—‰ ‹Â?‰Šǥ ‹Â?•‹†‡” ƒÂ?† Šƒ‹”Â?ƒÂ?ÇĄ …—”•‡† ‡Ž‹œ‡ƒÂ?• ‹Â? –Š‡ ˜‹Ž‡•– ‘ˆ –‡”Â?•ǥ •‹Â?’Ž› „‡…ƒ—•‡ –Š‘—•ƒÂ?†• ‘ˆ –Š‡Â? Šƒ˜‡ „‡‡Â? …”‹–‹…ƒŽ ‘ˆ ‘˜‡”Â?Â?‡Â?– ˆ‘” ’”‘Â?‹•‡† ‡…‘Â?‘Â?‹… ”‡Ž‹‡ˆ ™Š‹…Š Šƒ• „‡‡Â? Ž‘Â?‰ ‹Â? …‘Â?‹Â?‰Ǥ

Â? –Š‡ ‹Â?Â–Â‡Â”Â˜Â‹Â‡Â™ÇĄ ‹Â?‰Š Šƒ’’‹Ž› •ƒ‹† –Šƒ– Â?ƒÂ?› ‘ˆ –Š‘•‡ ™Š‘ Šƒ˜‡ ÂƒÂ’Â’ÂŽÂ‹Â‡Â†ÇĄ ’ƒ”–‹…—Žƒ”Ž› –Š‘•‡ ™‹–Š‘—– ƒ „ƒÂ?Â? ƒ……‘—Â?–ǥ ™‹ŽŽ Â?‘– „‡ ‰‡––‹Â?‰ ƒÂ?› Š‡Ž’ ƒÂ?›–‹Â?‡ •‘‘Â?Ǥ

‹Â?‰Š ”‡ˆ‡””‡† –‘ ’‘‘” ‡Ž‹œ‡ƒÂ?• ĥ …”ƒ…Â?Š‡ƒ†• ĥ ™‡ŽŽ ĥ –‘ •‹Â?‰Ž‡ Â?‘–Š‡”• ‹Â? –Š‡ Â?‘•– †‡”‘‰ƒ–‘”› ƒÂ?† †‡•’‹…ƒ„Ž‡ –‡”Â?•Ǥ Š‡ ˆ‘—Ž ŽƒÂ?‰—ƒ‰‡ ƒÂ?† ‡š’Ž‡–‹˜‡• —•‡† –‘ †‡•…”‹„‡ –Š‡ Â?‡‡†‹‡•– ‡Ž‹œ‡ƒÂ?•ǥ proves the PUP’s point that the Government does not ‰‡Â?—‹Â?‡Ž› ‹Â?–‡Â?† –‘ ƒ••‹•– ƒŽŽ –Š‘•‡ ‹Â? Â?‡‡†Ǥ

‹Â?‰Š …Šƒ‹”• –Š‡ ÇĄ ™Š‹…Š ’Žƒ›• ƒÂ? ‡••‡Â?–‹ƒŽ ’ƒ”– ‹Â? ’ƒ›‹Â?‰ Â?‡‡†› ‡Ž‹œ‡ƒÂ?• ™Š‘ ƒ”‡ •—ˆˆ‡”‹Â?‰ ĥ ƒ ”‡•—Ž– ‘ˆ –Š‡ –ͳ͝ ’ƒÂ?†‡Â?‹…Ǥ ‡ Šƒ• •Š‘™Â? Š‹• –”—‡ –Š‘—‰Š–• ‹Â? –Š‡ ‹Â?–‡”˜‹‡™Ǥ ‡ ”‡˜‡ƒŽ‡† Š‹Â?•‡Žˆ –‘ „‡ ƒ””‘‰ƒÂ?–ǥ …‘Â?–‡Â?’–—‘—• ƒÂ?† •…‘”Â?ˆ—Ž ‘ˆ –Š‘—•ƒÂ?†• ‘ˆ ’‘‘” ‡Ž‹œ‡ƒÂ?•Ǥ

Š‡ †‡Â?ƒÂ?†• –Šƒ– Š‡ „‡ ”‡Â?‘˜‡† ‹Â?Â?‡†‹ƒ–‡Ž› ĥ Šƒ‹”Â?ƒÂ? ‘ˆ –Š‡ ƒÂ?† ‹Â?•‹•–• –Šƒ– Š‡ ‹••—‡• ƒ ’—„Ž‹… ƒ’‘Ž‘‰›Ǥ Š‡ ƒŽ•‘ …ƒŽŽ• ‘Â? ƒ””‘™ –‘ ‡Â?•—”‡ –Šƒ– ‹Â?‰Š †‘‡• Â?‘– ƒ––‡Â?† –Š‡ –ͳ͝ ˜‡”•‹‰Š– ‘Â?Â?‹––‡‡ Â?‡‡–‹Â?‰ •…Š‡†—Ž‡† ˆ‘” –‘Â?‘””‘™ ‡†Â?Â‡Â•Â†ÂƒÂ›ÇĄ ’”‹Ž ͳ͡ǥ ʹͲʹͲǤ

‹Â?‰Š ‹• ƒ Â?—Ž–‹njÂ?‹ŽŽ‹‘Â?ƒ‹”‡ ™Š‘ Šƒ• Â?‘ —Â?†‡”•–ƒÂ?†‹Â?‰ ‘ˆ ™Šƒ– ‹– ‹• –‘ „‡ ’‘‘” ƒÂ?† †‡•’‡”ƒ–‡Ǥ ‡…ƒ—•‡ ‘ˆ Š‹• …‘Â?Â?‡…–‹‘Â?ÇĄ Š‡ Šƒ• ˆ‡† ™‡ŽŽ ƒ– –Š‡ –”‘—‰Š ™Š‹Ž‡ Â?ƒÂ?› ‡Ž‹œ‡ƒÂ?• Šƒ˜‡ „‡‡Â? †”‹˜‡Â? „‡Ž‘™ –Š‡ ’‘˜‡”–› Ž‹Â?‡Ǥ ‹• …‘Â?Â?‡Â?–• ™‡”‡ —Â?…‘Â?•…‹‘Â?ƒ„Ž‡ ƒÂ?† †‡•’‹…ƒ„Ž‡ ƒÂ?† …ƒÂ?Â?‘– „‡ •ƒÂ?…–‹‘Â?‡† ‘” –‘Ž‡”ƒ–‡†Ǥ

--ENDS--

‘Â?Â–ÂƒÂ…Â–ÇŁ ‹Â?•ˆ‘”† ƒ•–‹ŽŽ‘ ‡…”‡–ƒ”› ‡Â?‡”ƒŽ ÇŚÂ?ÂƒÂ‹ÂŽÇŁ •‡…‰‡Â?’—’̡‰Â?ƒ‹ŽǤ…‘Â?

FEED ME SEYMOUR Continued from page 1 distancing and quarantine measures implemented by the GOB. Already close to half of the population had been living in poverty even before the threat of COVID-19.

It should have come as no surprise that over sixty two thousand applications for relief have been received. The purpose of the relief is to provide funds to those that have been newly displaced from work, those who suffer from long-term unemployment or those that engage in the informal labour market. The reason is that since the GOB has ordered quarantine measures and social distancing they must provide relief so that people are able to survive for the duration of these extreme measures. The SSB is merely facilitating the disbursement of funds and no monies have been taken from them for this initiative. Therefore Mr. Singh is grossly erroneous when he states that some people that may have applied are undeserving because they have no history of formal employment with the SSB. He is again enormously mistaken, when he declares that the government will “give them something for free.� Loans must be repaid by taxes, which we all pay one way or another in this country. Mr. Singh continues his diatribe by as-

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL

suring that Belizeans feel like they have “every right to be upset when they don’t‌ unu lucky.â€?

No, Mr. Singh, Belizeans are feeling anything but lucky for the last twelve years. Poverty, crime and unemployment have increased while educational opportunities, quality of health care, and the standard of living have tanked.

Of course for a select group of elites in this country, who cream off the top of every crooked infrastructure project and bloated contract, those who are able to facilitate certain projects with but a whisper in the right ear‌those are the lucky few. Mr. Singh while the number of Belizeans who live in poverty

increase, and the middle class shrinks in this country, your business interests seem only to prosper. Being the chairman for so many prestigious committees that come with so many perks and stipends, facilities and advantages it is easy to lose sight of the fact that those come at the expense of the hardworking men and women of Belize.

In 2013/2014 Mr. Singh negotiated a loan from the SSB to the CPBL while being the Chairman for both organizations. He did not recluse himself from the vote, he did not feel that there was an obvious ethics breach. He has not resigned from the Chairmanship of the CPBL. Shame on you for looking down your nose on Belizeans, but we know that it is symptomatic of the greater disdain the UDP and their Elitist cronies

CRIMES & CORRUPTION 2018 and 2019, there was no contractor general in office Contracts which have not been reviewed by the Contractor General are illegal.

All major contracts must be by open tender.

AS MINISTER OF FINANCE HE APPROVED EVERY DOLLAR of the

$1.4 BILLION

Dean Barrow has awarded hundreds of millions in contracts to cronies, but he has never presented them to the National Assembly as required by law.

feel toward Normal Belizeans. The reason that these people feel this entitlement is because they have been incorrectly led to believe they are better than the Normal Belizean and are deserving of the privileges they enjoy.

It will become very clear to many very soon just how mistaken they are.

The Belize Times

Established 1957

14 APR 2013

|

ISSUE NO: 4840

The Truth Shall Make You Free

www.belizetimes.bz

|

$1.00

serving Belize since 1957 as the longest continuous newspaper.

Founder: Rt. Hon. George Cadle Price, People’s United Party Leader Emeritus OFFICE MANAGER

Fay Castillo EDITOR

JosĂŠ JimĂŠnez

LAYOUT/GRAPHIC ARTIST

Chris Williams

OFFICE ASSISTANT

Roberto Peyrefitte Printed and Published By TIMES NEWSPAPER LTD. Tel: 671-8385 #3 Queen Street P.O. BOX 506 Belize City, Belize

Email: belizetimesadvertisement@yahoo.com

editortimes@yahoo.com

19 APR

2020

THE BELIZE TIMES

03 3

EDITORIAL

T

Waste of Time

ime is a very real, limited, and non-renewable resource for which we trade daily.

We cannot borrow, buy, or beg more time and sadly it is another commodity Belize is quickly running out of. COVID-19 has come to teach us many life lessons, but chief among them is the value of time. GOB wastes time trying to establish and implement new mechanisms and routes of giving assistance to the most vulnerable sector of society. The virus, however, wastes no time spreading from person to person as they move around, and scramble trying to feed their families and just survive. In comparison to other countries big and small Belize has been lucky enough that the spread of this plague has not been as pervasive. Over the last twelve years we have squandered both time and money on infrastructure that would not bring us any significant remuneration nor was by any stretch of the imagination essential. These projects were the hallmark of an administration that prized the quick and inflated investment in things rather than people. At The Belize Times we had long ago cautioned that we would come to rue those poor decisions. There is no pleasure in having been proven right.

The National Association of Village Councils (NAVCO) represents one hundred and ninety-three villages countrywide. They have expressed and lodged their dissatisfaction with the CEO of Human Development regarding the distribution of the Pantry Program. It seems that instead of using the already democratically elected leaders and an established system, the Department of Human Development wastes precious time in trying to figure out a way to distribute hampers in the rural areas.

It seems that trying to dodge the duly elected PUP Chairpersons is the ultimate goal instead of the distribution of food to those rural communities. It is fact this GOB has a documented history of circumventing elected representatives for so called caretakers and of diverting assistance through these people in order that they may gain political mileage from government funded programs.

This is the way the UDP uses public funds and programs and conditions their access in return for political support and votes. It is an act of abuse of power and despicable especially in these times of crisis.

There is no need to reinvent the wheel! Channeling the aid through the Village Chairperson is the easiest and fastest route. Using NAVCO to identify the needy, organize and distribute effectively and efficiently is frankly speaking a no brainer. Rural Communities make up more than 50% of the entire population in Belize with a total of 250 villages. However, in the last election for the Chairmanship of NAVCO it was the PUP who won that seat. Using NAVCO, the UDP would no longer control the distribution of these pantries, which according to Minister Boots Martinez are valued at a total of 18.5M, to be distributed over the next three months.

It is never appropriate to politicize the distribution of food, but to do so in the times of extreme crisis is a low-down dirty shame. The people chose their leaders and their democratic choice must be respected. Already in some villages where the Chairperson is UDP, the pantry assistance is being offered to select UDP members and party supporters and then fast tracked so that they receive the assistance in less than forty-eight hours after applying. Do not hold the people at ransom and condition government aid and assistance paid for by the public purse in exchange for party loyalty.

We must extend the services to those who most need it so that they can remain in quarantine. There is no more time to waste because it is the only way to continue to flatten the curve and avoid the continuing spread of the virus. It is Time to place national welfare over private gain. #staysafebelize

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THE BELIZE TIMES

EDITORIAL

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19 APR

2020

en Español

Perdiendo el tiempo

l tiempo es un recurso muy verdadero, limitado y no renovable por el que comerciamos diariamente. No podemos pedir prestado, comprar ni mendigar más tiempo y lamentablemente es otro preciado bien que en Belice se está agotando. El COVID-19 ha venido a enseñarnos muchas lecciones de la vida, pero la principal de ellas es el valor del tiempo. El Gobierno de Belice (GOB) pierde tiempo tratando de establecer y aplicar nuevos mecanismos y vías para prestar asistencia al sector más vulnerable de la sociedad. El virus, sin embargo, no pierde tiempo en propagarse de persona a persona mientras se mueven y luchan tratando de alimentar a sus familias y simplemente de sobrevivir. En comparación con otros países grandes y pequeños, Belice ha tenido la suerte del que la propagación de esta plaga no ha sido tan generalizada. Durante los últimos doce años hemos malgastado tanto el tiempo como dinero en infraestructuras que no nos proporcionarían ninguna remuneración significativa y que ni eran esenciales por ningún tramo de la imaginación. Estos proyectos fueron el sello distintivo de una administración que valoró la rápida e inflada inversión en las cosas más que en las personas. En el Belize Times habíamos advertido hace mucho tiempo que nos arrepentiríamos de esas malas decisiones. No tenemos ningún placer en haber sido probado tener razón.

La Asociación Nacional de Consejos de Aldea (NAVCO, por sus siglas en inglés) representa a ciento noventa y tres aldeas en todo el país. Han expresado y expresado su insatisfacción con el Director General (CEO, por sus siglas en inglés) de Desarrollo Humano en relación con la distribución del Programa Despensa. Parece que, en lugar de utilizar a los dirigentes ya elegidos democráticamente y a un sistema establecido, el Departamento de Desarrollo Humano pierde un tiempo precioso tratando de encontrar una manera de distribuir las cestas en las zonas rurales. Parece que el tratar de eludir a los presidentes del PUP debidamente elegidos es el objetivo final en lugar de la distribución de alimentos a esas comunidades rurales. Es un hecho que este Gobierno tiene un historial documentado de rehusar a los representantes electos a favor de los llamados “conserjes cuidadores” y de desviar la asistencia a través de estas personas para que puedan obtener ventajas políticas de los programas financiados por el gobierno. Esta es la forma en el que el UDP utiliza los fondos y programas públicos y condiciona su acceso a cambio de apoyo político y votos. Es un acto de abuso de poder e infame, especialmente en estos tiempos de crisis. ¡No hay necesidad de reinventar la rueda! Canalizar la ayuda a través del presidente de la Aldea es la ruta más fácil y rápida. El uso de NAVCO para identificar a los necesitados, organizar y distribuir de manera eficaz y eficiente no necesita mucho seso, es francamente una obviedad. Las comunidades rurales representan más del 50% de la población total de Belice, con un total de 250 aldeas. Sin embargo, en la última elección para la Presidencia de NAVCO fue el PUP que ganó ese escaño. Utilizando NAVCO, el UDP ya no controlaría la distribución de estas despensas que según el ministro Boots Martínez se valoran en un total de 18,5 millones que se distribuirán en los próximos tres meses.

Nunca es apropiado politizar la distribución de alimentos, pero hacerlo en tiempos de crisis extrema es una vergüenza sucia y de lo más bajo. El pueblo eligió a sus dirigentes y su elección democrática debe ser respetada. Ya en algunas aldeas donde el presidente es el UDP, se ofrece la asistencia de despensa a los miembros y partidarios seleccionados del UDP y se acelera el proceso para que reciban la asistencia en menos de cuarenta y ocho horas después de la solicitud. No debemos mantener a la gente intimidada al condicionar la ayuda y asistencia gubernamental pagada con fondos públicos a cambio de la lealtad del partido. Debemos extender los servicios a aquellos que más los necesitan para que puedan permanecer en cuarentena. No hay más tiempo que perder porque es la única manera de seguir aplanando la curva y evitar la propagación continua del virus. Es hora de colocar el bienestar nacional sobre el beneficio privado. #staysafebelize

19 APR

2020

THE BELIZE TIMES

BELLY of the

BEAST

Millionaire Mindset The comments made by Doug Singh are nothing new. Notice that when he resigned after his nasty, vile rant about common, normal Belizeans went viral, he didn’t apologize. That is how he feels. He feels that poor Belizeans are ‘crackheads,’ in his words, just standing around for handouts. But honestly, this isn’t about Doug Singh. He’s just another rich, privileged UDP who has used his connections to become a multi-millionaire. When the PUP comes into power and the US is allowed to come in and investigate what they want to investigate, Singh will no longer have the protection of the U.D.P. and he will have his day. But this is not about him. What he said in that recording is how the rich, arrogant UDPs feel. That is how Doug Singh and the filthy rich Dean Barrow talk when they hang out. These people have gotten rich off the backs of poor Belizeans. They have become multi-millionaires with multiple bank accounts and fancy homes all over the place. They have become arrogant and they look down on the rest of us. But wait – when General Elections are called, they will be back hugging up the people, saying how much they love you, all for a vote.

Suddenly the people they call ‘crack-heads’ will become important. Suddenly the single mothers that the UDP scoff at, saying that all they do is sit there and have children for a bunch of different men, will become important. Don’t you forget, though. Remind them on Election Day. Good Lord Does anybody else feel just a tad bit anxious about the fact that Boots Martinez will be the one handling all those millions which will supposedly be used to provide food to the poor? Seriously, COVID-19 is plenty bad enough when it comes to making us panic. We do not need the extra stress of Boots getting his sticky fingers on money which the poor desperately need. Remember this is the man whose account was getting fat off taxpayer dollars being deposited by a ‘top-notch’ contractor who had never built a house in his life. Remember Kirk Lamb? He was the man getting paid from the Ministry to build homes, then he had to turn around and deposit all that money into an account controlled by Boots. We haven’t forgotten, Boots. The people still want to know about your fake entity, Housing for the Poor and all the money being pumped in there by government. The people want to know about that big building at the corner of CA Blvd and the highway. The people want to know where you got the money and materials to build homes for yourself all over the place. Please don’t let Boots deal with taxpayers’ money again. We know what happens when he does.

Hunger The people are hungry, Mr. Barrow. We all watched the video of bad-back Barrow sitting in his fancy home with his fancy shoes, safe from the reality on the streets. He doesn’t understand what is happening because he is disconnected. He feels, like his bosom buddy Doug Singh, that people should be happy for $150 every two weeks. He doesn’t understand why people are complaining. Because his mansion by the sea is fully stocked, he doesn’t comprehend that people haven’t eaten for a while now because there is no money.

What COVID-19 has done is to prove all that we have been saying all along. Remember that Dean Barrow has always boasted in every Budget speech and on every occasion, patting himself on the back and talking nonsense about how everything is so wonderful in Belize. A couple weeks into this thing and GOB is already struggling to meet payroll for public officers, and still can’t seem to arrange financial assistance to Belizeans who lost their jobs. You think things are bad now? Wait for it.

NO MONEY Do not believe the words that are coming out of the mouth of Mr. Barrow. He might be filthy rich, and all his Ministers and their cronies are filthy rich, but the government is broke. That’s the truth. A few weeks ago, Barrow was on TV and I swear he was up to like $125 MILLION in ready cash. Don’t panic, he said. We’ve got you, he said. Plenty of money to deal with this, he said. So, where’s the money? Over 62,000 Belizeans have applied for assistance, and to date just over 7000 have been approved. Imagine that.

That is the reality. This week we heard about producers having to kill chickens and throw away milk because consumers haven’t been buying. If the government has all this money, why hasn’t it offered to buy the chicken and milk and beef and pork off these consumers and provide to poor Belizeans?

Have you heard Barrow make this offer? Hell, no. And he won’t because while he loves to talk a bunch of nonsense every time a mic is pushed in his face, he knows the truth. Barrow and his crooked bunch done screw the Belizean people. That’s the truth.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

COVID QUESTIONS

1. Will the Prime Minister please tell the Belizean people if the 25,000 tests that were donated to Belize for free that was refused by the Government and was made in Korea is any different than the Korean-made test kits that Belize will now be buying from Cayman and how much we are paying for these test kits?

2. Will the Minister of Human Development please say if his ministry will issue a statement condemning the comments by former UDP Chairman Doug Singh for his nasty and insulting comments about Belizeans who have lost their jobs or who work for day wages?

3. Will the Minister of Foreign Affairs please inform the Belizean people why he could not be present for a video conference meeting of SICA to deal with international assistance for COVID-19?

4. Will the Prime Minister please inform the nation who is authorizing Dianne Finnegan to be issuing food pantry on behalf of the Government of Belize?

19 APR

2020

19 APR

2020

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THE BELIZE TIMES Message from the Leader of the Opposition John Briceño

Actions Needed Now Delivered to the Nation April 10, 2019

My Belizean friends, Regrettably, two Belizeans have died as a result of the new Coronavirus. We mourn their tragic loss and ask for prayers of comfort for their families and friends and for our nation in these trying times. The recent events surrounding their deaths, the testing, contact tracing and detection have highlighted serious concerns and possible negligence.

Here are the facts as have been presented to me

by the experts: First, we learnt that from March 12, SICA had offered to Belize no less than 25,000 testing kits but our Ministry of Health refused. Now the Government is scrambling to see if it can get those tests because what we have in stock now is very limited.

Second. Due to the lack of available tests, testing procedures and testing itself by Ministry of Health through its Central Medical Lab has been grossly insufficient and there is now community spread of the virus at least in Belize District and in Cayo District.

Third. Lack of developed protocols by the Ministry of Health in caring for patients with the coronavirus was clearly evident in the treatment failures with respect to patient 4 who died.

Fourth. Lack of developed protocols by Belize Health Care Partners and Ministry of Health for frontline caregivers and facilities to deal with suspected COVID-19 patients is clearly evident with respect to patient 10 who also died.

Subsequently there are now over 40 healthcare workers who have been directly exposed to a patient who tested positive for COVID-19 at Belize Health Care Partners and almost 20 at KHMH. The Opposition has been working tirelessly in good faith as part of health, agriculture and economic oversight committees.

We are dissatisfied with many decisions, as we do not believe that our suggestions, based on advice of experts, are being taken seriously at these levels of the process. We have heard the Prime Minister’s address to the nation a short while ago. We agree with the decision on the national lockdown. However, we feel it is just not enough.

Because of the crisis we face, certain additional decisions need to be taken ASAP. We therefore call on the Government to urgently implement the following measures: 1. Immediate and mandatory closure of the Belize Health Care Partners Limited facility for decontamination; 2. Immediate and mandatory closure of the non-COVID ICU unit of the KHMH for decontamination; 3. Mandatory testing and quarantine at a designated site of all medical personnel and staff exposed to patients who tested positive for COVID-19 and those identified through contact tracing or others who were voluntarily identified; 4. Mandatory testing and quarantine at a different designated site of all non-medical persons exposed to persons who tested positive for COVID-19 and those identified through contact tracing or others who were voluntarily identified; 5. Mandatory testing and separation of all COVID-19 medical personnel and staff from nonCOVID medical staff including provision of accommodation separate from family and others at a designated site; 6. Written protocols must be immediately established in the clinical management of suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients. These protocols must be publicly disseminated. Training of medical and support staff at major private and public health care facilities throughout the country including regional health care centers must be undertaken immediately.

7. Written protocols must be immediately established for transfer of suspect and confirmed COVID-19 patients between health facilities especially in the transfer of patients from other facilities to KHMH. Such protocols should include whether patients should remain at initial facility, taken elsewhere if they are presumed to be positive for the coronavirus and should also include the level of protection required for staff.

8. Belizeans have lost complete confidence in the performance of the Minister of Health and the time has come for the Prime Minister to take appropriate action to restore confidence and assurance in our ability to manage this health crisis.

As leader of the Opposition, I have made this statement after advice from experts, and in the public interest.

At present, the situation as it relates to food is also a critical one. As seen by the number of applications for unemployment assistance, many Belizeans cannot afford basic food items at this time.

Disturbingly, food distribution is being politicized by and through political arms of the UDP Government using unnecessary middlemen while completely ignoring the advice of the Opposition and disregarding the farmers’ plight in the process.

That is unacceptable.

For some time now we have been advocating for a process to be put in place for distribution of food in a nonpolitical manner to those most in need. We believe the Belize Red Cross and the Belize Defence Force are capable of carrying out a food distribution program free from political interference.

As we move into another phase of shutdown with even greater restrictions food distribution countrywide will become even more urgent.

Our proposals and suggestions in the various Committees are not being implemented; this is regrettable. On the unemployment relief program, our Opposition representative has already approved over 10,000 applicants, many of which are the poorest of the poor, the long term unemployed. The Government’s representative has approved less than 1,500. This is a callous disregard for the humanitarian need of our suffering people. The public must have trust in the systems established to manage this crisis.

As a responsible Opposition we demand transparency and corrective actions now. When I accepted to co-chair the Oversight Committee on this crisis it was in the genuine interest of bipartisan support for the country’s management of this national challenge. It is becoming more evident that politics is finding its way into the decisions of the Government and this cannot be supported.

During the course of this weekend, I will continue my consultations, and will decide whether we will continue to serve on the committees established to respond to this national crisis.

Please remember we must act responsibly: Stay Home.

If you must leave your house wear a face mask; practice good hygiene and care for your family and loved ones by practicing social distancing as much as you can.

Mensaje del Líder de la oposición el honorable John Briceño

Medidas Necesarias Urgentes 10 de abril del 2020

Mis amigos Beliceños, Lamentablemente, dos beliceños han muerto como resultado del nuevo virus Corona. Lamentamos su trágica pérdida y pedimos oraciones de consuelo para sus familias y amigos y para nuestra nación en estos tiempos difíciles. Los recientes acontecimientos relacionados con sus muertes, las pruebas, el rastreo de contactos y la detección han puesto de relieve graves preocupaciones y posibles negligencias.

Estos son los hechos que me han presentado los expertos: Primero. Supimos que desde el 12 de marzo, el SICA había ofrecido a Belice no menos de 25.000 kits de pruebas pero nuestro Ministerio de Salud lo rechazo. Ahora el Gobierno está luchando para ver si puede conseguir esas pruebas porque lo que tenemos en reserva ahora está muy limitado.

Segundo. Debido a la falta de pruebas disponibles, los procedimientos de prueba y las propias pruebas por el Ministerio de Salud a través de su Laboratorio Médico Central han sido muy insuficientes y actualmente el virus se propaga en la comunidad al menos en el distrito de Belice y en el distrito de Cayo.

Tercero. La falta de protocolos desarrollados por el Ministerio de Salud en el cuidado de los pacientes con el coronavirus fue claramente evidente en los fracasos del tratamiento con respecto al paciente 4 fallecido.

Cuarto. La falta de protocolos desarrollados por Belize Health Care Partners y el Ministerio de Salud para los cuidadores de primera línea y las instalaciones para tratar a los pacientes sospechosos de COVID-19 es claramente evidente con respecto al paciente 10 que también murió. Posteriormente, hay ahora más de 40 trabajadores de la salud que han estado expuestos directamente a un paciente que dio positivo para COVID-19 en Belize Health Care Partners y casi 20 en KHMH. La Oposición ha trabajado incansablemente de buena fe como parte de los comités de salud, agricultura y supervisión económica. Estamos insatisfechos con muchas decisiones, ya que no creemos que nuestras sugerencias, basadas en el asesoramiento de expertos, se estén tomando en serio en estos niveles del proceso.

Hace poco escuchamos el discurso del Primer Ministro a la nación. Estamos de acuerdo con la decisión sobre el cierre nacional. Sin embargo, creemos que no es suficiente. Debido a la crisis que enfrentamos, es necesario tomar algunas decisiones adicionales lo antes posible.

Por lo tanto, pedimos al Gobierno que aplique urgentemente las siguientes medidas: 1. Cierre inmediato y obligatorio del centro Belize Health Care Partners Limited para la descontaminación; 2. Cierre inmediato y obligatorio de la unidad de cuidados intensivos no COVID-19 del KHMH para la descontaminación; 3. Pruebas obligatorias y cuarentena en un lugar designado de todo el personal médico y no-médico expuesto a pacientes que dieron positivo en la prueba de COVID-19 y a los identificados mediante rastreo de contactos u otros que fueron identificados voluntariamente; 4. Pruebas obligatorias y cuarentena en otro lugar designado de todas las personas no médicas expuestas a personas que dieron positivo en la prueba de COVID-19 y de las personas identificadas mediante rastreo de contactos u otras que fueron identificadas voluntariamente; 5. Pruebas obligatorias y separación de todo el personal médico y el personal no-médico de COVID-19 del personal médico no perteneciente a la COVID-19, incluido el suministro de alojamiento separado de la familia y otras personas en un lugar designado; 6. Los protocolos escritos deben establecerse inmediatamente en el tratamiento clínico de los pacientes COVID-19 sospechosos y confirmados. Estos protocolos deben difundirse públicamente. La capacitación del personal médico y de apoyo en los principales centros de salud públicos y privados de todo el país, incluidos los centros regionales de atención de la salud, debe llevarse a cabo de inmediato.

7. Deben establecerse inmediatamente protocolos escritos por traslado de pacientes COVID-19 sospechosos y confirmados entre centros de salud, especialmente en el traslado de pacientes de otros centros a KHMH. Estos protocolos deben incluir si los pacientes deben permanecer en la instalación inicial, tomados en otro lugar si se presume que son positivos para el coronavirus y también deben incluir el nivel de protección requerido para el personal.

8. Los beliceños han perdido toda confianza en el desempeño del Ministro de Salud y ha llegado el momento en el que el Primer Ministro adopte las medidas apropiadas para restablecer la confianza y la seguridad en nuestra capacidad para manejar esta crisis de la salud.

Como Líder de la Oposición, he hecho esta declaración tras el asesoramiento de expertos y en aras del interés público. En la actualidad, la situación alimentaria también es crítica. Como lo demuestra el número de solicitudes de asistencia para el desempleo, muchos beliceños no pueden permitirse alimentos básicos en este momento.

Es inquietante que la distribución de alimentos esté siendo politizada por y a través de los brazos políticos del Gobierno del UDP, utilizando intermediarios innecesarios, ignorando por completo el consejo de la oposición y haciendo caso omiso de la difícil situación de los agricultores en el proceso. Eso es inaceptable.

Desde hace algún tiempo estamos abogando por un proceso que se ponga en marcha para la distribución de alimentos de manera no-política a los más necesitados. Creemos que la Cruz Roja de Belice y la Fuerza de Defensa de Belice son capaces de llevar a cabo un programa de distribución de alimentos sin interferencias políticas.

A medida que avancemos hacia otra fase de un cierre con restricciones aún mayores, la distribución de alimentos en todo el país será aún más urgente. Nuestras propuestas y sugerencias en las diversas Comisiones no se están aplicando; esto es lamentable.

En el programa de ayuda al desempleo, nuestro representante de la oposición ya ha aprobado a más de 10.000 solicitantes, muchos de los cuales son los más pobres de los pobres, los desempleados a largo plazo.

El representante del Gobierno ha aprobado menos de 1.500. Se trata de una indiferencia cruel para la necesidad humanitaria de nuestro pueblo que está sufriendo.

El público debe confiar en los sistemas establecidos para manejar esta crisis. Como Oposición responsable exigimos transparencia y acciones correctivas ahora. Cuando acepté co-presidir el Comité de Supervisión sobre esta crisis, fue en el interés genuino del apoyo bipartidista a la gestión de este desafío nacional por parte del país. Cada vez es más evidente que la política está encontrando su camino en las decisiones del Gobierno y esto no se puede apoyar. Durante el transcurso de este fin de semana, continuaré mis consultas y decidiré si seguiremos sirviendo en las comisiones establecidas para responder a esta crisis nacional.

Recuerde que debemos actuar con responsabilidad: Quédense en Casa. Si usted debe salir de su casa debe usar una mascarilla facial; practique buena higiene y cuide de su familia y seres queridos mediante la práctica del distanciamiento social.

Compatriotas beliceños seguimos orando por la providencia de Dios para nuestra esta nación.

8 08 8

THE BELIZE TIMES

BYM President Arrested

Good Friday 2020 was a tormenting ordeal for the president of the youth arm of the People’s United Party, the Belize Youth Movement. The young Karim Adle was essentially dragged out of his home. No Belizean wishes to be taken unnecessarily to a Police Station on a Good Friday during this COVID induced State of Emergency moreover in quarantine. The non-validated story that triggered the arrest is grasping at veracity. Such story is that a drone was seen flying outside of the house of someone called Omar Figueroa who on paper is the Minister of the Environment and the Cayo North representative. He was blessed as the Minister of this when in 2019 he failed to address the New River and all the drought-stricken parts of Belize—his solution was that Belize needed to wait for the rains.

So, this Omar Figueroa just uses his phone and apparently gets Mr. Adle to be picked up and arrested by San Ignacio police. This wanton abuse of power in COVID time and in any time is intolerable. No ONE especially someone without proof can request for anyone to just be arrested. Here is Mr. Adle’s own narration of the happening: GOOD FRIDAY TERROR!!

On the 10th day of April, 2020 (Good Friday) my peace was rudely disturbed around 3:45 pm by officers attached to the QRT (Quick Response Team) of the Police Department, banging on my gate.

I greeted them at the door and was told that I must accompany them because the Officer Commanding San Ignacio needed to have a word with me.

I asked if I could meet them there; they responded “no” that I must go with them.

Puzzled as to what was happening I asked them to allow me to put on a shoe, they did not object.

On our way to the station one of the officers called his boss to inform

him that they are taking down the “young man”.

Upon reaching the police station the police who detained me informed me that an individual had complained that I was flying a drone over his house and showed me my Facebook profile picture.

I told him I do not own a drone.

That the allegations were ludicrous. He informed me that he was simply following his orders. I was the told I needed to wait for the OC for him to speak with me. I had no fear as I had committed no crime. The Sargent, on duty, then orders that I be locked up in the cell as I was under arrest. No one had read me my rights. So I was arrested and detained on the misrepresentation that the OC wanted to “talk” with me.

I was detained, without any reasonable cause and I proceeded to plead to the Sargent to please allow me to wait for the OC at the chair they have at the station, since anyone who knows me knows I suffer from allergies. He was adamant in locking me up and even said his OC said to lock me up until he arrives. They proceeded to lock me up.

After what felt like hours and an impending shortness of breath attack as I was without my nose drops the OC arrived and they took me out to speak with him. He informed me that Minister Omar Figueroa called him to complain that I am flying a drone over his house.

I categorically denied this allegation as I do not own a drone.

What crime had I committed? I had posted a picture of Minister Omar Figueroa’s new mansion.

I was then released from Police Custody.

This UDP Minister abused his power to have the police detain and deny me of my liberty on the strength of a phone call. At the time I was detained, this UDP Minister had not made a formal written complaint.

In a time of national crises where everyone is asked to stay home, this “Minister” who is not even the Minister of National Security abuses his power to have me dragged out of my house on a Good Friday near curfew hours because he wants to muzzle me as I constantly publicly denounce his inability to lead Cayo North.

The arrogance of this UDP Minister who shows that he will use the power of the state to intimidate, harass and shut down any voice of opposition to him;

19 APR

2020

Let me categorically tell you here and now, You will not keep me quiet. I will not be intimidated by you.

You wish to be the Leader Of your party and behave in this arrogant way!

Your childish behavior is unwarranted of a person wishing to seek higher office. Stop your arrogance and abuse.

Wake up, we are facing a pandemic and you have offered no solutions for the people of Cayo North or Belize!

The Western Caucus of the People’s United Party denounced what is Omar Figueroa’s abuse of power in a release: “He used his position and the force of the state to harass, intimidate and to try and stifle opposition to him.”

19 APR

2020

THE BELIZE TIMES

UDP POLITICIZES EVERYTHING INCLUDING FOOD

Much like its big brother, the COVID Relief Program, the Belize’s COVID Food Program has been much too slow for many Belizeans who are patiently waiting for confirmation that they will receive the basic staples.

Aid at this time is a birth right and is definitely not the handout the UDP is accustomed to issuing during UDP Mother’s Day Cheers, UDP Christmas Cheers, and infamously during Election gimmickry which incidentally is frowned upon by law.

The Ministry of Human Development does not have the human machinery nor nohow to undertake the mammoth task of national food distribution thus the reason why they cannot get it off the ground. It is obvious on the ground that UDP mouths are being fed before those that are suspected of being PUP. We the PUP are told ad nauseam to call various numbers that just ring as we used to say ‘off the hook’.

PUP party leader John Briceño went across the grain to ensure that various levels of unemployed and out of work Belizeans received help.

Johnny Briceño has the vision and understanding that everyone eats even those without a formal job including their children. When Belize shuts down, even those not registered directly at the Social Security Board(SSB), sometimes called handto-mouth or ketch & kill workers, will be seriously affected. These Belizeans, contributors to society in many ways, are affected the most and their wellbeing is tantamount to the wellbeing of the overall Belizean society.

NAVCO OFFERS TO HELP IN FOOD DISTRIBUTION The Ministry of Human Development is way over their head. The colossal number of hands and the management needed is beyond the ‘developmental’ stage that this Ministry is used to pushing in their usual ministry tasks. So then, they make the gargantuan mistake of asking for volunteers from a country that is all sitting at home wishing to get out of quarantine. In what was probably was a few hours, human development was swamped with numbers. The same problem now just doubled.

They still do not get it. HOW will they manage the volunteers? Same human management problem.

The National Association of Village Council already has the network that is way ahead in geographic and demographic information needed in this national endeavor. There is no time to make a new network. Specifically the Western DAVCO also released their own offer to be involved. But is there a rejection of these bodies since the national government sees them as the PUP that won the Village Council Elections in 2019? This would be petty if it weren’t Belizean lives here at

099 stake so we will call it political malpractice.

As a matter of fact, Party Leader Briceño also suggested that BDF and the Red Cross who were proven and have countrywide networks capable of the massive distribution necessary should be placed into Food Distribution. Given that the COVID situation is novel it would be fair to say that the BDF, the Red Cross and NAVCO would definitely be eons ahead of any network a Boots Martinez Ministry would have today.

Yes folks, he is the substance less Minister of Human Development. Like all the other UDP Ministers and government, he disappeared into eternal isolation and endless quarantine when the country needs leadership the most.

That is why John Briceño rose to the front.

UDP Helping Only UDPs While Belize is bracing for the worse and with Belize… I mean the people. While quarantine is imposed for the sake of our lives. While many in Belize are needy for that next meal, UDP unelected caretakers and representatives have found money somewhere(hopefully not government COVID dollars) to be happy-go-lucky sending UDP-branded bags of groceries to filtered constituency supporters.

The help is very much needed so that is not the issue. What is political and thus counterproductive in the age of COVID-19 is the idea of helping UDP homes and skipping the PUP(suspected) homes. This is especially uncalled for if government funds are spent.

There is no room for politics as usual for the UDP. The coronavirus is deadly and it is waiting for us to make a mistake to ravage a cluster of Belizeans...UDP or PUP. We all hunger and survive equally. All should have access to food.

Households Undersupplied with Food while Producers have a glut Understanding and oversupply of food and its production is not in Belizean DNA. It is especially not understood in the age of this coronavirus. When Belizeans hear that there is dumping of milk and other food stuff it definitely saddens hearts and angers tempers.

The constant call is to those who supposedly represent us, the government of Belize. They are asked in many a Facebook comment and post to intervene, to buy the foodstuff and make it a part of the food distribution.

But the UDP is a mammoth. It is now extinct. It is immovable. What is there to gain from their intervening? If the UDP does not gain anything they will not do it. By the way, they are not interested in gaining public approval. They gave up looking for that way back on February 8, 2008.

Hon, Jose Mai recently expressed his opinion on this topic: Good morning to all. I am really sadden by what I am seeing today. I am distraught by what am witnessing today...thousands are desperately hungry.

We have the beef, pork, chicken, eggs. We have rice, beans, milk and cheese...but what we don’t have is MONEY. PEOPLE DONT HAVE MONEY TO BUY!!

Why is government taking so long to act? Milk is being dumped before the eyes of the very hungry.

Today Central Meat Distributers in OW has 35,000 pounds of pork meat with no sales and no storage!!

How sad is this! There are 1000 more pigs to slaughter!! What can they do??

Giving away price of $2.00 and $3.25 a pound and still no one can buy. Government can even get the product on credit if they want to!!! But please act now .. please!!

Why doesn’t the Government buy bulk and distribute to the desperately hungry Belizeans?

THE MONEY IS THERE. IT IS AVAILABLE!!

Why is the government taking so long to make a decision?? Why, why?

Please!! Decision makers of this country!!! Listen to our advice!! Bulk buy beans, rice, pork, chicken, eggs, milk and cheese and let the Red Cross and the BDF distribute to ALL WHO NEED!! STOP WASTING TIME!!

HELP OUR FARMERS, FEED OUR PEOPLE IN THESE MOST DIFFICULT TIMES! Please decision makers, I urge you to open your eyes, open your mind and your hearts!!

The people need you!

10

THE BELIZE TIMES

19 APR

2020

One Vision…One People BILL OF RIGHTS The People’s United Party wants to share its vision with the Belizean people. It is rooted in a philosophy that goes back to the Father of our Nation the Right Hon. George Price. Mr. Price always believed ours was a work in progress; he led a revolution that is at its core peaceful, always constructive, progressive and uniquely Belizean.

These values remain true today and form a part of our PUP Creed. We are committed to the protection of our territorial sovereignty. We cannot, and will not risk even an inch of our beloved country, from the Rio Hondo to the Sarstoon. And we are committed to an accessible, fair and independent justice system and the rule of law in Belize.

The PUP will always seek to achieve social, economic and environmental justice. It is a commitment to the socio-economic improvement of all Belizeans. Our plan is to rid Belize of poverty. To the PUP, poverty is an ugly scar on our nation’s collective conscience, and no amount of cosmetic surgery can paste over the suffering of close to half of our people, most of them women and children, who live on less than ten dollars per day.

This is not only a task for governments. We all have a stake in this enterprise, but government must LEAD and bold leaders must show that they truly care. For us the task ahead is clear - to build a Belize that works for everyone, so that every Belizean should come to expect five things. This vision, this determination, has created what we call our BELIZEAN BILL OF RIGHTS. FIRST - Every Belizean should have access to a piece of land. With land we immediately create opportunities for upliftment and personal growth.

SECOND - Every Belizean should be able to own a decent home. The 17th Century Jurist and politician Edward Coke in speaking on human rights said: “A man’s home is his castle.” Every Belizean in 2017 should expect such an entitlement whether they live on Bocotora Street or on Seashore Drive.

THIRD - Every Belizean should be given the chance to go to school from pre-school to junior college. We have to make education free from pre-kinder to Junior College. If we will give our young people a chance at success, it must start with a good education.

FOURTH – Accessibility to quality basic health care is critical, which means every Belizean should be enrolled in the National Health Insurance Program. If we can invest 42 million dollars in a basketball stadium, then we should be able to provide basic health services to all.

FIFTH and most important, the driving force behind it all is JOBS - good jobs that can lead to meaningful careers; jobs that will give Belizeans a chance for personal growth and prosperity and provide a hand up for those at the very bottom of the economic ladder.

If we do these things, if we create a fair and just society, if we build on these principles we will then be able to change people’s lives and together we will rid our shores of the scourge that is poverty.

19 APR

THE BELIZE TIMES

2020

THINKING OUT LOUD BY: KEVIN BERNARD

As a Mayor who has proudly served the people of Orange Walk Town, as an aspiring representative of my people in Orange Walk East, but most importantly as a Belizean, I outrightly condemn the words of UDP insider Doug Singh, recorded during an interview with a journalist this week. I reject what he said, and I am even more outraged because I know that he meant every word.

When Singh spoke in such a scornful way about our Belizean people, he knew what he was saying, and he was only saying what he feels. There can be no tolerance for such an attitude in our country at any time, but particularly at a time when we must stand together against a pandemic which has destroyed our way of life.

Singh was openly scornful of

poor Belizeans because he doesn’t understand what it means to be poor. He has fed at the UDP trough for a long time. He referred to poor Belizeans as crackheads, as if all those who are desperate for some assistance are worthless and are not important. His words offend me because I grew up in the shadow of people like the Father of the Nation, George Price, who believed in service to God and service of his people before all else. George Price was a man who travelled the length and breadth of this nation because he wanted to be close to his people. He was a true man of the people.

That is what I believe in. That is why I became a politician. That is how I have lived my life.

I think all Belizeans should con-

demn the words uttered by Doug Singh. This is a man who has been living high off the public purse under the UDP. And this is the individual, this same man who scorns common Belizeans, that the Prime Minister has placed as Chairman of the Social Security Board, an entity whose sole purpose is to provide a safety net for those same common Belizeans in their times of need. I know that the PUP has demanded that the Prime Minister force Singh to apologize for his words, but that won’t matter. Even if Singh does apologize, he will not mean it. What he said is how he feels.

But while Singh’s words and attitude towards disadvantaged Belizeans is reprehensible, the truth is that this is what the UDP thinks of the people. This is what the Prime Minister thinks of normal Belizeans.

We have seen evidence of that over and over again. For years now Ministers of this UDP Cabinet have gotten richer and richer, while more and more Belizeans are pushed below the poverty line. We have listened every year as the Prime Minister talks about how good things are, but the cost of living keeps going up. The cost of educating our children keeps going up. Everything keeps going up, except salaries.

I have watched as the farmers of this country have been disre-

11 spected by this Government, which does not seem to understand the blood, sweat and tears poured into the soil by these common Belizeans. I’ve watched my colleague and friend Jose Mai beg and lobby government to provide some assistance for farmers who have been hard hit by droughts and other things beyond their control. And Government has ignored these people because they are only common Belizeans, not in the ranks of somebody like Imer Hernandez who has gotten hundreds of millions in bloated contracts.

In Orange Walk East, my people know the concept of hard work and of hardships. They know too, the arrogance of the UDP. At one time many of them believed the words of the UDP representative, but now they understand that he was in it only for himself.

He has done nothing for the people, but only for himself. He calls himself a son of the soil yet has absented himself whenever the people need him. That is the mentality of the UDP. That is how they operate. They are arrogant and look down on the people.

We will get through this, my friends, because we are a strong people. But we cannot forget how we have been treated by the UDP, particularly when we were most in need. As politicians, and as leaders, we should be here to serve the people, not to serve ourselves.

12

THE BELIZE TIMES

COVID-19 is DEADLY UDP INCOMPETENCE IS FATAL Thursday, 16 April 2020 The pandemic known as COVID-19 has devastated the civilized world, countries with advanced technology, advanced health systems and healthy economies. In Belize, almost before the pandemic arrived on our shores, our systems which were on life support began falling apart, and all the weaknesses caused by the incompetence, corruption and greed of the Barrow administration began rearing their ugly heads.

As we go to press today, tens of thousands of Belizeans have yet to receive even a dollar in financial assistance from Government, even though three weeks ago a grinning Dean Barrow boasted that the Government had been able to secure millions upon millions of dollars to deal with COVID-19. Weeks ago, even before the first case of COVID-19 in Belize, tourism fell by the wayside and thousands of Belizeans lost their means of supporting themselves and their families. Many of those persons have received nothing, resulting in a sense of desperation that has been felt countrywide.

The Attorney-General, Michael Peyrefitte, who many times seems to have fallen and knocked his oversized head one too many times, has been pressed into making laws under the guidance of his boss, the Prime Minister, who these days seems to be in a perpetual haze caused by an overabundance of simple pills. The two of them make laws, then change them by the end of the day, then change them again by the next day with no logic in sight. This bizarre duo has created confusion and chaos and has made the Police’s job of enforcing the law 10 times more difficult.

But it is worse than that. The Ministry of Health, run by an electrician who probably wasn’t even too good at that, has come under intense scrutiny for its inadequate managing of the entire situation.

While the bureaucrats and politicians make decisions from the safety of their homes, our brave frontline personnel have been placed at needless risk. The treatment of the first critical patient, Hubert Pipersburgh, revealed that despite the boasts of the Prime Minister, there were no real protocols put in place for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. And despite the boasts of the Prime Minister, frontline health workers made it clear that they did not have the proper equipment or resources to deal with the pandemic, and neither were ANY of the health facilities in the country prepared to deal with the pandemic.

The Barrow administration, to nobody’s great surprise, has failed Belizeans on all fronts. Because

the Cabinet Cartel has spent the last years filling their pockets and enriching themselves and their family members and cronies, there was nothing put in place to weather any sort of storm. COVID-19 has not yet begun to really affect Belize, and already everything is an unholy mess. Imagine that we are a couple weeks into this pandemic, and already the Government has run into problems making payroll, and even bigger problems taking care of the people in any meaningful way.

To put an exclamation mark on the Government’s total lack of caring and ability, the man placed by Dean Barrow at the helm of the Social Security Board was recorded this week referring to poor Belizeans in the vilest terms, as ‘crackheads,’ and demeaning the poor in the country for being forced to ask for help at a time like this. Doug Singh may have resigned in shame, but his words should stay in every Belizean’s mind. This is what the UDP thinks of Belizeans.

The pandemic known as COVID-19 is deadly, but the pandemic which is the UDP’s ignorance, arrogance, incompetence and neglect can be fatal.

19 APR

2020

19 APR

THE BELIZE TIMES

2020

OUT

OUT

!

!

Dear Editor, Please allow me a space in your newspaper. The Good Friday message by the Leader of the Opposition was on point and timely.

As a nurse and front line worker I have had much consternation as it pertains to our readiness and preparedness for this pandemic. We have tried via press releases to bring to the knowledge of the public the many weaknesses and failures in the current approach being implemented by the Ministry of Health and, in particular, the Director of Health Services, Dr. Marvin Manzanero. The Personal Protective Equipment provided are and continues to be inadequate. The triage centers established countrywide have much to be desired. They are located in dusty areas that cannot be sanitized.

I need the nation to know that I have not seen any protocols or received any briefing from anyone in the Ministry of Health as pertains to the Corona Virus. This is incomprehensible. We see patients with flu-like symptoms every day and I must confess, I am scared for my safety and that of my co-workers and our families.

I have not heard a word from the CEO in the Ministry of Health. Where is he? The DHS seems to be a one-man decision maker and there is absolutely no dissemination of information to us who are on the front lines. We get the information just as all others in the public do, via social media.

This in my opinion is unprofessional and downright unacceptable. When decisions are made we do not receive any memo or correspondence. We must listen to news or search social media to find out.

On another note, our specialist works for 20 hours weekly at our Public Hospitals and the remainder in their private practice. For some time now Dr. Manzanero has been attacking doctors wanting them to work exclusively in either private or public practice.

He has touted this for some time now. Seems like he finally got his way. Using the State of Emergency, he decides at

al,

Nothing person-

Don’t wait until you all lose your love ones.

The death of Hubert Pipersburgh who was a Facebook friend to many of us should have been a trigger point but as usual we only murmur, are complacent and apathetic.

Let COVID-19 foster genuine love and care in one another and eradicate hypocrisy once and for all. We are certain that the Ministry of Health (MOH)has had a poor performance record for 12 years and its only now that we are seeing: 1. Poor procurement & health policies 2. Political victimizations and intimidations even confirmed by BMDA 3. Unsolved negligence within the Ministry for years and blatant lies 4. Self isolation and quarantine during this pandemic has no substance: failed policy.

5. Poor testing technique, strategy and coverage 6. Procurement for this pandemic has been poor and bias and we have been blatantly and an hour like this to attack the doctors. It begs me to ask what is the ratio of medical professions to patients in Belize? We are facing a serious virus and we want to limit our medical professionals? Is Dr. Manzanero thinking?

Is he serious? The public service does not have many Specialist willing to work with us. If the few that are willing to do so are made to choose, they will obviously choose the private service. The public service and by extension the poor will suffer the loss.

We are not happy with the way decisions are being made for us and we are not being consulted. If you speak out, you are the villain. We are tired of the treatment but we will continue to come to work and do the best we can for our patients. We continue to encourage Belizeans to stay at home. We are in this fight together even though it seems our leadership in the MOH is doing all they can to demoralize and endanger lives. We will get through this.

Thank you.

Name Withheld.

intentionally lied on press conferences since March.

This has reached an intolerable point.

This pandemic is already adding to an economic catastrophe. The UDP government has 12 years manifesting gross incompetence in all areas of State affairs with the complicity of our Governor-General. We are on the verge of a human catastrophe which I base on scientific observations in politics and medicine. We should strongly demand the IMMEDIATE resignation of Mr. Pablo Marin, Minister of Health, C.E.O, Dr.

13 Gough and Dr. Marvin Manzanero as his team. Though, they have been instructed by the Task Force to take pertinent measures before hand, they stubbornly refused and ignored.

They have lost our trust as public authorities and must leave in benefit of the Belizean people.

NOT A PERSONAL REQUEST BUT A PROFESSIONAL ONE! Please SHARE and Make viral.

Omar Silva, Host of El Latigo(Spanish Morning Show on Vibes Radio and TV)

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THE BELIZE TIMES

19 APR

2020

19 APR

2020

THE BELIZE TIMES

STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTRY OF BELIZE (UPDATED April 11th)

Summary of Effect of Statutory Instrument No. 54 of 2020

Belmopan. April 11, 2020. 11:15 p.m.

As announced by the Prime Minister on April 10, 2020, a countrywide lockdown has been implemented in response to COVID-19 through a Statutory Instrument effective today, April 11, 2020, at 8:00 p.m.

The Statutory Instrument provides for further amendment to the Emergency Powers regulations and offers additional measures to protect the citizens of Belize.

The two main changes include specific restrictions on movement and further reduced hours of operation for some businesses.

Below is a summary of Statutory Instrument No. 54 of 2020: The entire country of Belize is on lockdown for 14 days in the first instance.

The curfew remains in effect from 8:00 p.m. to 4:59 a.m. and for children from 6:00 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.

Movements which are allowed including operations of businesses.

People are permitted to move between the hours indicated and for the sole purposes of: 1.

Food and medicine (essential needs) – a. Convenience stores, food stores, supermarkets, meat shops, butchers, (excluding potable water) and food can operate from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (movement is for purchase of food and essentials) b. Markets: 6:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. c. Pharmacies: 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. d. Bakeries and tortilla factories: 5:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

2. Fuel (fuel stations, depots, including LPG suppliers, depots and distributors) 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

3. Financial institutions (banks, credit unions, ATMs) 8:00 a.m. – 12 noon 4. Exercise (jogging, walking or running, only, during hours of 5:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m.) (no cycling) 5. Veterinary and medical emergencies 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

6. If you are a caregiver or an essential worker going to and from work 7. Services by waste disposal and sanitation companies and auxiliary personnel 8. Maintenance and housekeeping by hotel, villa or other accommodation service personnel Operations which cannot operate for a period of 14 days: (given the 18th positive case and the Belize City cluster, this has been changed to 21 days from Good Friday) 1. Distributors and factories of carbonated and other beverages including spirits (excluding potable water) 2. Mechanic shops, garages and other auto parts stores are closed to the public, but available for essential services upon request 3. Construction and construction sites 4. Hardware stores 5. Storefront outlets for essential businesses (public utility companies) 6. Service of delivery, take out or drive-thru facilities at restaurants, diners, saloons and other similar establishments Domestic Food Security 1. Farms continue to operate – agricultural and aquaculture operations between 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

2. Fishers can continue to fish for

livelihood during 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

This includes commercial licensed fishers and those who fish to eat. Recreational or sports fishing is not permitted.

3. Agro-processors, food manufacturers only, can operate for a period of 14 days during 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (but carbonated and other beverage manufacturers cannot operate for a period of 14 days).

4. Productive sector industries, personnel and auxiliary workers (potable water production, agricultural workers) during 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Transportation 1. No public bus transportation countrywide.

2. No busitos or dalla van shall run in any district.

3. Taxis are allowed if they are called. No taxi should be waiting at a taxi stand for passengers.

Government Offices Government offices will be closed for a period of 14 days. Where e-services are offered, there will be an acknowledgement of receipt; the request will be recorded, and the necessary accompanying action will be effected when business resumes.

Restriction on movement 1. No one is allowed to move across districts.

2. The food and essential goods supply chain will, however, remain open for cargo and delivery of food and medicines for those purposes only. This includes international and domestic delivery services and wholesalers of goods and services.

On Sundays, there will be a complete shutdown of businesses except for private security services.

That means: 1. Movement by essential workers only 2. Movement for emergencies only 3. Entities that are designated as 24-hour and seven days a week are allowed to operate. These include food mills, oil production, sugar, citrus and approved food factories, port operations, public utilities.

ESSENTIAL WORKERS AND SERVICES UNDER THE LAW 1. Security forces 2. Medical personnel and auxiliary services (includes ambulance services) 3. Immigration and Customs 4. Private security services 5. Public utilities, workers and auxiliary staff 6. Social workers authorized to respond to emergencies 7. Sanitation workers and auxiliary staff 8. Productive sector industries, personnel and auxiliary workers (potable water production, agricultural workers) 9. Media (workers supporting television, radio, newspapers and online media services) 10. Belize Port Authority 11. Office of the Governor General 12. National Fire Service 13. Belize Electricity Limited

14. Belize Water Services Limited 15. Belize Telemedia Limited

15 16. Speednet Communication Limited (Smart) All Ports of Entries remain CLOSED even to Belizeans but of course Cargo that is being processed.

At the present time, this is literally life and death being grappled with.

People need to heed to the overall: STAY at HOME as much as possible.

51 16

19 APR

THE BELIZE TIMES 2020

19 APR

19 APR

2020

2020

18 JAN

THE BELIZE TIMES 2015

TEAM 31 T E A M 31

BUILDING A BELIZE THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE

17

18

THE BELIZE TIMES

THINK ABOUT IT

PANDUMBIC The desperate mothers lining up for food all across Belize City says it all. Without a care for social distancing, masks or gloves, in the middle of the daytime curfew, their plight is a stark reminder of a failed government, and of the possible chaos to come.

It is bad enough that the incompetent Ministry of Health is unable to get their act together. Only by the grace of God we do not have hundreds of virus victims in the hospitals and scores in the burial grounds.

We continue to pray. Oh Lord! Hear our prayers.

The video recording of Douglas Singh cursing poor people is sad.

It is a tragedy. We thought Peyrefitte or Boots would have been the ones to succumb to PANDUMBIC. Peyrefitte came close with his incredible and irresponsible coveidiot remark that police officers would behave as if they have no sense during the night curfew of 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., but instead it was Dougie who “melt down”. It must have been the self- isolation and personal frustration. Criticism against the slow pace of paying financial assistance had been getting louder from the public. Doug was the Chairman of the cold-hearted Social Security Board; tasked with paying the small stipend of $100.00 and $150.00 twice a month.

The IRB (improvised roadside bomb) exploded when no other than the Leader of the Opposition went public in highlighting failures of the official coronavirus Oversight Committee. Johnny is the co-chair with the Prime Minister of the Committee overseeing the emergency.

Among the several disturbing revelations highlighted by Hon. Briceño were the gross failure to pay out badly needed funds and distribute urgently needed foodstuff to the unemployed and poor people. Some 62,000 applications were submitted. Nothing had been paid out as office people and bureaucrats shuffled papers. The situation with food distribution is bordering on crisis.

When Dougie’s verbal diatribe hit the fan, the government, which has been riddled with corruption and incompetence for the past decade, quickly responded with a press release that seven thousand applications were approved. Singh said it was five thousand.

But this only reinforced Johnny Briceno’s critique. It meant some 55 thousand persons were still desperately “waiting for Godot” Reliable estimates of poverty in Belize range from 48 percent to 52 percent. Certainly with the collapse of the tourism industry affecting some 20 thousand workers the figure is going to be much higher. There will be over one hundred persons needing direct cash and food stuff help from government, for the next several months.

Problem is the government is broke. The corruption, waste and squandering of tax payers monies that went on, unabated for the past decade, has come crashing down on our heads, with ferocity.

In this area, the government has been reckless, in the extreme. Not a dollar has been set aside for the proverbial rainy day. Nothing is more disastrous in a young democracy than a corrupt, wasteful and irresponsible government; and Belize has gone through twelve years of it. We are now flat on our backs.

For a country facing annual floods, droughts and lengthy hurricane seasons, the country’s finances have been mismanaged in the most irresponsible manner.

Over 500 million dollars has been paid to the owner of BTL, cold cash up front, based on a secret agreement signed by the Prime Minister in a hotel room in Miami.

An additional 450 million dollars loaned to Belize by the great Hugo Chavez’s Petro Caribe program went up in election bribery smoke and corruption. There was no accountability, no audit, no transparency. Laws put in place by the Teachers Union, National Trade Union Congress and Chamber of Commerce to protect public funds were violated repeatedly, wantonly, criminally.

There are dozens of other examples. The cabinet is overflowing with millionaires. But in the villages and communities a growing army of poor people have remained vulnerable and helpless.

What is particularly galling is that the written agreement of Petro Caribe required is that the monies be used to uplift the people of Belize. It was to finance small farming, small fishing, small businesses, entrepreneurs, access to education and skills training. All the things that would have made us more prepared and better able to weather the corona pestilence that brings with it the collapse of our economy.

Cursed be the leaders who have done this to our people.

19 APR

2020

So here we are, not even in the middle of the pandemic which is expected to rage on for many months.

We do not have enough tests. We do not have enough ventilators.

We do not even have a special quarantine building. What we have can only holds nine persons. For God’s sake. How did we come to this?

We had millions and millions of dollars, now the government is broke.

Recklessness and negligence with public monies have us in this bind.

The new budget is only 18 days into the new financial year. Government is asking public officers, teachers, nurses, police and army to accept cuts in their increments and allowances. Wow! Not a single crony has been asked to go home, or give up their government vehicle or forego their unlawful 20 percent bonus. Ministers of government who are doing no work are collecting their salaries and multitude of allowances.

Doug Singh nor his boss, the Prime Minister, or the government has offered an apology to the thousands of poor people for the scornful remarks hurled at them. It is said that silence is consent.

Rough days are ahead for the poor people of Belize. For all of us.

Ruff, ruff.

THREE COPS DISGRACE THEMSELVES Police were told not to have any sense from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.

Sure enough the instructions were swiftly complied with. A 78 year old in Belmopan was beaten in his yard, causing him to be hospitalized.

The rogue cops then beat up and whipped the young men in the yard and shot one in his hand.

In Belize City, beatings are being frequently reported. Then a video surfaced with cops forcing two street persons to have sex. After almost a week of weak investigation, the trio were given a lame, minor charge. It’s an outrage. The charges should have included abetment to sexual assault, abetment to rape, conspiracy to perpetuate a rape, publishing obscene material, and exploitation of a mentally ill female.

But this is Belize, The Attorney General who is responsible to see that laws are obeyed is, incredibly, the Minister of the very police who are given military uniforms and misleading instructions to violate the laws and the constitution which protects the rights of every citizen.

19 APR

2020

THE BELIZE TIMES

The Right Honourable Said Musa: Opinion of the Coronavirus Pandemic The coronavirus pandemic is ravaging the world’s poor, even if they are untouched by the virus.

There is the fear that the volume of infections will spike over the days and weeks ahead. And according to a recent survey of the regional health facilities from Toledo/Stann Creek to Corozal/ Orange Walk and from Cayo to San Pedro Ambergris, there is much work yet to be done if we are to reach a satisfactory level of preparedness to deal with a possible widespread outbreak of this Virus. More training and proper equipping of health workers, the front line fighters, is required according to the report of the survey which has still not yet been publicly released.

Even if the Virus doesn’t spread, as likely anticipated, into the poor housing areas of Belize City and towns, where social distancing is impossible due to the limited space of their homes, the pandemic will have already exacted a bitter price.

For hundreds of poor families suddenly stripped of livelihoods, daily income, and the means for their survival, poverty may kill sooner than the coronavirus.

For many, the sole breadwinner work in the informal economy, living life on the margins

Obituary Reynaldo ‘Rick’

The People’s United Party, Party Leader John Briceño, the PUP National Executive and the rest of the PUP Family extend its most heartfelt condolences to the family of Former Mayor of Orange Walk Town. May his soul rest in peace and rise in eternal glory.

ORANGE WALK TOWN COUNCIL release:

with little to no social safety net.

We hear from the government that they have been able to raise millions in loans and grants.

Why not spend some of those millions in buying food in bulk from our farmers—the rice, beans, chicken, eggs, beef, pork, fruits and vegetables and start distributing this food to ALL our needy people (whether red, blue, or no color at all).

That will be a good start to addressing the plight of the BELIZEAN People in this pandemic crisis in which we find ourselves.

19

20 2020 Medics Threatened by the UDP Government THE BELIZE TIMES

The Doctors of Belize especially those who are of specialized fields are those who will be in the frontline battling COVID-19 for Belize. You would think that even this UDP government would have these intensely trained Belizeans prepared with adequate Personal Protective Equipment(PPE), super sanitary worksite, detailed protocols, due compensation and with a seat at the decision-making table.

Instead, this UDP government threatens and hinders the work of these doctors and medical team at every turn. Seemingly if Pablo and/or Manzanero do not get credit then it Scannot be done. They run to salivating Peyrefitte who is ready to prove that he can write a law faster than he can dance.

In this novel coronavirus and COVID world, micromanaging is damning. Work has to be expediently delegated in real time.

There is no time for play, none for gimmickry, and none for hustling.

Incompetence must be placed in a back pocket or resign a la Singh.

Today we hear of a law that will be placed so that doctors cannot move from private practise to public and the reverse.

The intent is to prevent ‘cross-contamination’.

The PPEs are there to prevent contamination period. If the UDP has these in oversupply(like the food) then there should be no problem. Just hand over the PPEs and quit being spiteful, the country is depending on cool and savvy minds. It is not personal.

Doubting Belizeans still have yet to see and believe that our health care workers have one PPE suit per day per patient for the next few months. According to medical literature, that is what it would mean for there to be an oversupply of PPEs—namely, gloves, N-95 masks, and gowns.

As the Belize medical community braces for a possible outbreak, the BMDA put out a second release in as many weeks.

The Belize Medical and Dental Association “find it unacceptable that the doctors of this country do not have a say in this matter.” Specifically they expressed dissatisfaction

with the number of testing that has been done and the micromanaging style of a “small group of individuals.”

19 APR

In the same release our doctors prescribed to all Belizeans: “Wear a face mask, this will limit the spread of the virus.”

19 APR

2020

THE BELIZE TIMES

On the Other Side of COVID 19

By Senator Hon. Isabel Bennett As human beings, we have the capacity to hope and not just hope, for millions of people prayers are now the only utterance as they struggle with the possibility of death. For others, prayers are said for the safety or recovery of family members, friends, co-workers, students… and for the world, as we are all battling with the COVID-19 pandemic. In the end, prayers will result collectively in the crossing over to the other side of COVID-19.

For most of the world population, this disaster is unknown, well maybe except in the science world where the virus was discovered or said to have been invented. This

unknown to the commoners like me and you not in that science world, it is crippling us mentally causing depression, stress, sadness, boredom, frustration with the new “COVID-19 laws” and what makes it even worse on us mentally is the fact that minute by minute the number of deaths is increasing worldwide. Here at home, we have had to deal with the death of two persons already and it wasn’t a community that mourned their passing either, the whole nation did as it went like a shock wave through our souls wondering who or if I was next.

To date the world-o-meter(changes almost every minute) has reported 144,341 deaths with more than half a million serious or critically ill (54,370) from December 31, 2019 to April 16, 2020. In any case, COVID-19 is causing the world population to be in a panic and a frenzy for survival for almost four months of this year 2020 with no end in sight. A no end in sight is especially true for Belize as our first case was just announced on March 23, a little less than a month to date and our total is now only at 18. It is expected that our situation could get worse given the trend that the other countries have experienced and are experiencing right now, for example the US having the lead number of

deaths due to COVID. Well maybe not everyone in the world is in a panic or frenzy. For others who quickly learn to utilize stress management techniques, this dismal global situation has become more bearable. This is in no way saying they don’t care about the situation, and maybe we have some who don’t care, but for this portion of the population who have found ways to cope, they are planning and working towards crossing over to the other side of COVID-19.

With some coaxing, some influence, and some persuasion we can all be in this portion of the population in order to stay mentally well as much as possible given the circumstances. It is in these difficult times that Belizeans can become the most creative and innovative. Difficult times have a way of forcing us to grow in ways that we would have otherwise never ventured because we were all in our comfort zones.

We can all be on the other side of COVID-19 in good mental health, if we invest in this precious time wisely as an individual, as a family, as a community and as a nation.

I happened across this saying on the internet. No author sourced.

But it was quite clear that this author was seeing the other side of COVID-19 with a positive lens too,

21 “If you DON’T come out of this QUARANTINE with: A new skill Your side hustle started (please let it be legal) More knowledge You never lacked TIME, You lacked DISCIPLINE So for bookworms like myself, this is a link from one of the world top universities that is offering FREE courses online during this time. Hey, get adventurous and learn something new and have some new knowledge to show off and make some well-deserved money later this year. h tt p s : / / o n l i n e - l e a r n i n g . har vard.edu/catalog?keywords&paid%5B1%5D=1&max_price&start_date_range%5Bmin%5D%5Bdate%5D&st art_ date_range%5Bmax%5D%5Bd a t e % 5 D & f b c l i d = I w A R 14 4 FPLsH3IvuZCr wHQkIl1HiDB6CKi3sL_JaY8dmH63PgVSr8i1rG4mW4 And of course, the ever present YouTube is also here to help stretch our minds from the fear of COVID-19 to a dimension of exploration, creativity and innovation. Let’s all help each other come out of this pandemic with good mental health because we all made a decision to acquire a new skill, have a side hustle and with new knowledge to not just survive after the pandemic but to strive as a beautiful nation knowing we have helped ourselves and have helped others.

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THE BELIZE TIMES

19 APR

2020

19 APR

2020

THE BELIZE TIMES

A HEALTH SYSTEM CONFRONTING CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) --Contributed-While huge contracts of millions and millions of dollars in infrastructure for streets and highways have been the main focus and key political strategy for the present government, the highly contagious disease COVID-19 is striking and becoming the whistleblower of a neglected abandoned health system. Belize public expenditure in health has an average of 3.8% of GDP or 11.1% of the total budget that is equivalent to $305.5 per capita per annum. This is low by regional standards, PAHO/WHO has recommended a minimum of 6% of GDP to guarantee quality health care. Human resources are crucial and form the backbone in health; thus, they are key elements in order to provide efficiency and quality in health care.

Studies have been done showing that a critical issue common among our regional health facilities: northern, western, southern and the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital is human resource. Presently we have personnel with very poor motivation, low retention, uneven distribution, gaps in skills and competencies and staff shortage within all the hospitals (Belize Human Resources for Universal Health Strategic Plan 2019-2024); also the recent personal survey by the Public Service Union in 2019 pinpointed that the Ministry of Health is the WORST ministry and that the doctors and nurses are required to work strenuous hours in unequipped facilities and under poor “inhumane� working conditions.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a highly contagious disease that has a high mortality rate for the elder and those individuals with a secondary medical condition. A broad guess is that 25-70% of the population of any infected country may catch the disease. Belize has a high prevalence of non-communicable disease like diabetes, heart disease, hypercholesterolemia, stroke, hypertension and cancer. With these frequent types of diseases in the country, it immediately makes us wonder the impact of what is about to transpire. The increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and cancer clearly show us that our health system needs to head in a different direction. These diseases are the most expensive to maintain and they automatically increase the burden on the entire country. The National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme has been on the pipeline during the last decade.

This system has shown that it can improve the accessibility and quality of health care to our people but it needs political will, which the present government totally lacks.

According to Bloomberg, the coronavirus could cost the global economy $2.7 trillion. That quantity

is unimaginable for us. In Belize, out-of-pocket expenditure (OOP) in health has been reported to be very high, which means that a high percentage of our population pays out of their pocket when a disease affects somebody at home. This tendency has a huge impact on household expenditure, which can drive them to economic catastrophe. A NHI scheme undoubtedly will decrease OOP for Belizeans. When a patient who has potentially been exposed to the virus develops symptoms consistent with Covid-19, they should be able to seek appropriate medical care without being worried they cannot afford it.

According to Business Insider half of American households have $4500 or less in easily accessed savings account and if it is calculated that to treat a coronavirus infection costs $3,200 it means that many might go broke trying to afford coronavirus treatment. In Belize, poverty rates, a key determinant in health has risen from 33% in 2000 to 44% in 2010 according to World Bank and IDB studies. Not only are many Belizeans predisposed to severe effects from the virus due to their low defenses because of poverty but these definitely place them to economic disaster if OUT OF POCKET expenditure is expected from patients.

Recently some districts reported a high incidence of patients with dengue, a preventable viral disease but unfortunately various deaths of healthy young productive Belizeans occurred. The hospitals were so overcrowded with these cases that blood kits to follow-up our sick hospitalized patients were unavailable.

Blood test for patients was being done privately due to unavailability of reagents. If treating patient with dengue was so chaotic, imagine the scenario of treating moderate and severe cases of coronavirus where protection for the health care workers has to be optimum and the environment cannot be described as a poor inhumane working condition.

If simple blood kits to follow patients with dengue were unavailable, how will the ministry of health guarantee provide the costly blood tests when only a few kits were donated to them? With unqualified

personnel in specialized areas, where will the human resource be obtained when only 2 intensivists exist in the country?

HOW COULD THE MINISTRY REFUSE A DONATION OF 25,000 TESTING KITS FOR COVID19?

These kits were not faulty. In fact they were of excellent quality and are being used in all Central American countries. Indeed our system is lacking the basic element to confront this disease not to mention the high maintenance of specialized ventilation in each regional hospital and the expensive medication needed to provide quality health care in those intensive care units for coronavirus.

How will the Ministry of Health provide quality health care with a severe dilapidated crumbling infrastructure at the Punta Gorda hospital and a deteriorated Southern Regional hospital where corpses at the morgue were left to rotten, and a dilapidated, almost abandoned Belmopan hospital where rats were found in the incubators?

And to add to the pain, recently the KHMH, the sole national referral hospital in the country was infested with raccoons.

Hospitals need supplies of gowns, masks, gloves, oxygen and drugs. They should already be conserving them. They will run short of equipment, including ventilators. They need a scheme for how to set aside wards and floors for covid-19 patients, for how to cope if staff falls ill, and for how to choose between patients if they are overwhelmed. By now, this work should have been done.

Clearly the union members at the KHMH are shouting of the limitations in our health system stating that there are some areas in the hospital which are under less favorable conditions, understaffed, overworked with staff morale at an all-time low and a lack of necessary equipment to work. No wonder, since it is critical for them to have proper personal protective equipment and compensation for undertaking these high-risk assignments of being exposed to the CORONAVIRUS. Our health system is in desperate need to be renovated and

23 upgraded. Two patients were referred to the KHMH and the experience was undoubtedly chaotic.

The Western Regional Hospital was overwhelmed by one of them and the flagship hospital of the country (KHMH) was not able to coordinate the transfer of a patient causing the non-COVID intensive care unit to become infected and provoking healthcare workers be exposed to the DEADLY VIRUS. When there is complete lack of leadership at the helm of the Ministry of Health, a crisis as we are about to confront make us aware of the dilapidated condition of our health facilities, the lack of proper medical equipment, the deficiency of specialized human resources and the insufficient hospital supplies that guarantee quality health care.

Only via a change in mentality will a strategic investment in the health workforce be made. Our system needs to have better conditions for the health staff who will enable expanded access to health, health coverage and improvement in the protocols for managing health services, chronic diseases and primary healthcare services.

This will require a change in education planning and a renewed focus on strengthening capacity, incentives and quality of the medical staff. Given that health is the product of social and economic environment, mutually beneficial partnership needs to be developed with all sectors of society and the private medical sector. Coordination and collaboration with NGOs, community based institutions, and educational institution is fundamental. The most challenging need of the present government is GOOD leadership and improvement in management strategies.

This factor is important for implementing efficient and results driven goals. Once this type of system is in place, primary health care will be better managed and coordinated. Prevention for infectious and non-communicating disease will be easier to contain. Investment in infrastructure of our health facilities will become priority and focus should be steered to especially the problems of our severely dilapidated Hospitals: Punta Gorda, Dangriga, Belmopan and our flagship referral hospital (KHMH).

The Minister of Health has not been able to elaborate protocols on the treatment of COVID-19, protocols on the transfer of patients from the private to the public sector, protocols on the coordinated efforts of both sectors and protocols of the Covid-19 tests during the community spread level. Millions and millions of dollars need to be invested on infrastructure of health, the basic need of Belizeans. Health is a basic human right. Investing appropriately in health and Belize will become a productive and competitive nation.

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19 APR

THE BELIZE TIMES

2020

COVID-19: PAHO Director calls for “extreme caution” when transitioning to more flexible social distancing measures

April 14, 2020 Washington, DC, April 14 2020 (PAHO)—The Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Carissa F. Etienne, said that social distancing measures are giving our societies a chance to prepare and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and that, any attempt to transition to more flexible measures should be taken with extreme caution.

“Social distancing needs to be accompanied by comprehensive social support measures to ensure the most vulnerable can comply without severe risk to their livelihoods,” Dr. Etienne said today during a weekly media briefing.

Dr. Etienne also warned that, “COVID-19 has yet to hit with full force in our region, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean, and we expect it to intensify in the next few weeks. Indeed, the rise in hospitalizations and deaths we see in some countries highlights how quickly the situation could change in others.”

As of April 13, there have been 644,986 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Americas, and 25,551 deaths. PAHO’s Director noted that community transmission is being reported by a growing number of countries in North America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

The best bet for reducing transmission Social distancing measures “remain our best bet to reduce transmission and slow the spread of the virus in our communities,” said Dr. Etienne. PAHO today issued recommendations on this issue to slow the spread of COVID-19, Many countries in the region have implemented community-wide social distancing measures that are allowing health services to operate within their capacity – this is encouraging but must be sustained over a period of time to be effective, she noted.

“Following a period of social distancing, any attempt to transition to more flexible measures should be taken with extreme caution. Such decisions should always be informed by disease transmission patterns, COVID-19 testing and contact tracing capacity, the availability of hospital beds, and other objective criteria,” she warned.

Dr. Etienne said that social-support measures to ensure the most vulnerable can comply without severe risk to their livelihoods will require “an adequate national and local logistical capacity to ensure the delivery of medicines, tests, food and other supplies for our populations.”

Urgent need to accelerate testing and expand intensive care capacity “We know the picture is not

complete: there is an urgent need for countries to accelerate and expand testing for a more accurate understanding of the pandemic in the Americas,” Dr. Etienne said. “We must act with urgency before the storm hits most countries, to protect ourselves, our families and our communities.”

One of the most important shortterm needs is to expand the capacity of intensive care units in the region.

PAHO is sharing expertise on delivery and management of intensive care with countries, using lessons learned from China, Spain, and others, Dr. Etienne said. “In the long term, we need to plan now to guarantee that the drugs and vaccines that are being developed are accessible to all in our region, especially in the most vulnerable communities,” she noted.

“Implementing the measures required to stop COVID-19 can be disruptive but failing to do so will risk prolonging this crisis. Interrupting recommended social distancing too early could have the opposite effect – and lead to a second wave of COVID-19 cases, extending suffering and socioeconomic uncertainty over the long term in the Region of the Americas,” she said.

“Only by implementing the interventions required for each setting – guided by science and solidarity – can

Dr Etienne also highlighted the urgent need for countries to accelerate and expand testing for a more accurate understanding of the pandemic

we slow down, and ultimately break, the spread of COVID-19 in our region.

And then together, within and across our countries, we can safely get back on our feet,” PAHO’s director concluded.

Belize Times Editor: This PAHO article indirectly highlights the shortcomings of the government of Belize.

After rejecting 25 thousand donated test kits we turn around and beg a British territory if we can purchase a lesser amount. This rejection resonates as criminal. This is just a symptom of a government that is lacking in expertise and in the ability to look ahead.

This is beyond incompetence as in the medical field it is gross malpractice and must be castigated. One of their cronies at SSB walked way, all the way

out, of the UDP limb and was forced to resign but that leaves many other UDPs still in government ready to continue wreaking havoc and taking advantage of COVID measured to put forward their individual desires. This latter is so dangerous at this time since I involved lives of Belizean.

Let us heed PAHO’s and our PUP leader’s call to TEST better, to maintain Social Distance and to take real care of our Health Care workers and quit classifying them as private and public. All our doctors and medical personnel are Belizean. The government should have the necessary Personal Protective Equipment available to all.

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INFORME 21: Centroamérica y República Dominicana unida contra el Coronavirus 16 de abril de 2020 Centroamérica, 16 de abril de 2020. El Sistema de la Integración Centroamericana (SICA) mantiene una actualización de los casos confirmados de COVID-19 en los países miembros, así como de las medidas de prevención, sanitarias, migratorias y económicas abordadas, por lo cual presenta un informe.

El Informe N° 21 del 15 de abril, actualizado a las 8:20 p.m. manifiesta que se han presentado en la región 8,799 casos confirmados, un total de 345 muertes y 413 recuperados; en el caso de toda América, 673,361 casos confirmados y en total 27,336 muertes, según la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS).

Entre los destacados, se puede mencionar, que se llevó a cabo el 61° Foro del Clima y del 13° Foro Hidrológico de América Central. El Foro del Clima, reunió a expertos en meteorología y climatología para analizar el comportamiento pasado, el estado actual y las proyecciones de los indicadores oceánicos y atmosféricos, para

estimar el efecto de estos sobre las variables climáticas, y así producir la perspectiva del clima para el trimestre mayo - julio de 2020 para la región.

Así también, el Foro Hidrológico, reunió a expertos en hidrología provenientes de los Servicios Meteorológicos de Centroamérica, quiénes utilizan el pronóstico de lluvia preparado por el Foro del Clima como insumos para

los modelos de lluvia-escorrentía y así proyectar el caudal esperado en grupos de cuencas prioritarias para Centroamérica.

E l Consejo de Directores y las Oficinas de Vigilancia y Pronóstico Meteorológico de la región, están alertas al inicio de la temporada lluviosa, ya que esto provocaría un

Sala de lo Constitucional reafirma fallos contra capturas arbitrarias en cuarentena Por Mario Gonzalez, ElSalvador.com El Tribunal Constitucional delegó al Procurador para la Defensa de los Derechos Humanos para verificar que se cumpla lo que ha ordenado y rinda informe.

La Sala de lo Constitucional de la Corte Suprema de Justicia reafirmó sus resoluciones respecto a que la Policía no debe detener arbitrariamente a personas para llevarlas a centros de contención ni proceder al decomiso de vehículos, entre otras medidas restrictivas. El máximo tribunal enfatizó que la Asamblea debe emitir una normativa para estos casos y sus fallos no son peticiones ni están sujetos a interpretaciones, sino que son de obligatorio cumplimiento.

El presidente Nayib Bukele dijo que no acataría la resolución, pues “5 personas no van a decidir la muerte de cientos de miles de salvadoreños”.

La Sala, refiriéndose a los últimos decretos ejecutivos para la cuarentena, explicó que las restricciones contenidas en ellos “no deben interpretarse ni aplicarse por las autoridades del Órgano Ejecutivo como una sanción o castigo o como una consecuencia automática ante el incumplimiento de la cuarentena domiciliar, ni tampoco la privación de un bien patrimonial (vehículo automotor) de quienes incumplan dicha cuarentena domiciliar; ambas prohibidas por esta Sala en tanto no se

regulen mediante una ley formal”.

El Tribunal Constitucional delegó al Procurador para la Defensa de los Derechos Humanos, Apolonio Tobar, para verificar que se cumpla lo que ha ordenado y rinda informe.

Sin embargo, Bukele le contestó por Twitter que “así como no acataría una resolución que me ordene matar salvadoreños, tampoco puedo acatar una resolución que me ordena dejarlos morir”.

Pero la Sala recuerda que “las autoridades públicas deben obedecer y respetar (art. 235 Cn.), con lealtad y buena fe, los criterios determinados por esta Sala sobre la forma en que la Constitución limita las actuaciones de dichas autoridades frente a los derechos de las personas”.

“Esta Sala advierte que el incumplimiento de las resoluciones judiciales dictadas en los procesos constitucionales de exhibición personal puede configurar una suspensión de facto de dicha garantía y, en consecuencia, puede ser una forma de violación indirecta de los arts. 11, 29 y 247 Cn., lo que implicaría un grave desbordamiento de los poderes de excepción que la Ley Suprema reconoce al gobierno y dichas actuaciones lindarían con la ilegalidad y arbitrariedad”, enfatiza.

En seguida, enfatiza que “las resoluciones emitidas por este Tribunal en los procesos constitucionales no son peticiones, solicitudes ni meras opiniones

sujetas a la interpretación o 3 valoración discrecional de las autoridades a quienes se dirigen, sino que se trata de órdenes de obligatorio e inmediato cumplimiento, aunque se expresen con la mesura propia de un Tribunal Constitucional”.

Finalmente, ordena a las autoridades responsables de ejecutar los decretos 19 y 20 del ramo de salud y las disposiciones del Código de Salud atenerse estrictamente a la interpretación que ha realizado la Sala.

Además le reitera a la Asamblea “la urgente necesidad” de que regule mediante una ley formal, en coordinación con el Ministerio de Salud, las medidas limitadoras de la libertad física derivadas de la grave situación de emergencia por la pandemia del COVID-19, cumpliendo con los requisitos exigidos por la Constitución y la jurisprudencia de la Sala.

Asimismo delega al Procurador para la Defensa de los Derechos Humanos, Apolonio Tobar, para verificar el cumplimiento de las medidas cautelares y de tutela adoptadas en relación al internamiento o confinamiento sanitario forzoso por el mero incumplimiento de la cuarentena domiciliar, ante lo cual deberá enviar un informe cada cinco días hábiles.

La Sala requiere al Ministro de Salud que en el plazo máximo de tres días hábiles a partir del siguiente a la notificación remita al Tribunal la lista completa, con nombres, cargos y centros

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aumento en los casos de COVID-19.

L a información generada por ambos foros es compartida con usuarios sectoriales, a través del Foro de Aplicaciones de los Pronósticos Climáticos a la Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutricional, actividad coordinada por el Programa de Sistemas de Información para la Resiliencia en Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutricional de la Región de los países miembros del SICA (PROGRESAN II).

A demás, la Presidencia Pro Tempore del SICA, ostentada por Honduras para este semestre, y en coordinación con la Secretaría General del SICA, llevaron a cabo una reunión con los Directores de Cooperación de los países miembros del Sistema, con el objetivo de informar oportunamente sobre la Mesa de Cooperantes, además de actualizarles los avances y acciones que se han venido desarrollado en el marco del Plan de Contingencia Regional, para continuar articulando los esfuerzos a nivel regional.

Es este sentido, el 16 de abril se coordinó una reunión con Socios para el Desarrollo, a través de una Mesa de Cooperantes para implementar el Plan de Contingencia Regional ante el COVID-19.

de contención respectivos (ubicación o dirección, denominación y datos de contacto), de las personas que están administrando o que son responsables de cada uno de dichos lugares.

También ordena al Director de la Policía Nacional Civil, al Ministro de la Defensa y al Ministerio de Salud que en el plazo máximo de cinco días hábiles elaboren un registro de las personas privadas de libertad por violación a la cuarentena domiciliar con la siguiente información: sus nombres o datos de identificación; las condiciones en que fueron privadas de libertad (fecha, hora, lugar, motivos aducidos por la autoridad e identificación de quienes la realizaron); los lugares adonde fueron remitidos inmediatamente después de su privación de libertad; los lugares adonde fueron conducidos posteriormente; y los nombres y cargos de las personas encargadas de los centros de contención, en los que se encuentren actualmente quienes hasta la fecha hayan sido sometidos a confinamiento sanitario forzoso por supuestamente incumplir la cuarentena domiciliar.

Al mismo tiempo, pide un registro de las personas que habiendo sido retenidas, detenidas o privadas de libertad por la policía o la Fuerza Armada, en razón de la inobservancia a la cuarenta domiciliar han sido liberadas y llevadas por las autoridades a guardar cuarentena en sus residencias. Una vez concluido dicho registro deberá remitirse dentro de las veinticuatro horas siguientes a la Sala.

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Coronavirus Message To Her Citizens Has Gone Viral Emmanuel Felton, Buzzfeed Silveria Jacobs, the prime minister of Sint Maarten, isn’t accepting any of your excuses for leaving your house. In wake of the threat posed by the global coronavirus pandemic, Jacobs ordered a halt to all nonessential movement in the small Caribbean nation of just 41,000 people. On April 1, at the end of an hour-long briefing by officials, Jacobs had a simple message for her people about the importance of social distancing.

“We can stop [the spread of the virus],” she said. “Stop moving. Simply stop moving.”

“If you do not have the type of bread you like in your house, eat crackers. If you do not have bread, eat cereal, eat oats, sardines,” she said.

Jacobs told residents of the small island, which was devastated by Hurricane Irma in 2017, to treat the pandemic like a natural disaster.

“You’re supposed to have a twoweek supply for hurricanes, and at the beginning of this I said, ‘Prepare your disaster kit as if you were for a

hurricane.’”

She told people not to buy water or toilet paper but rather one to two weeks of food in the event of a full lockdown, which would mean grocery stores would close. The Prime Minister said she doesn’t want to order a full lockdown, so she is urging people to practice social distancing and remain home as much as possible.

“If the people of Sint Maarten do not adhere to the measures that

the government of Sint Maarten is putting in place for your own safety, then I have no other choice,” she said bluntly.

In contrast to briefings by US officials and President Donald Trump, which even some people in conservative media have found to be not useful, many people found Jacobs’ straightforward tone quite helpful.

Many of the people sharing Jacobs’ video are children of the Caribbean

BARBADOS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS RE-OPEN ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15 their full face on entry to the institution and when they approach the customer agent for the purposes of security and customer identification.

The regulators advise that customers should check their financial institution’s website or monitor the media for the details about

Sandy Deane, Barbadostoday April 13, 2020 The Central Bank of Barbados and the Financial Services Commission (FSC) advise that all deposit-taking institutions and/or businesses facilitating domestic or international payments can open under the extended 24-hour curfew, which runs from April 15 until May 3.

The Bank and the FSC acknowledge that during this period financial institutions may reduce the number of their branches that will operate.

The regulators advise, however, that financial institutions, including commercial banks, credit unions and money service remittance firms must:

1) Enforce the requirement that their clients use their services on the day assigned by their surname or special circumstance; 2) Accommodate, by exception, during the shortened weeks of April 13 and April 27, clients assigned to Monday and Tuesday, and Tuesday and Friday, respectively 3) Take the opportunity during this period to encourage their customers to sign up for ATM cards and/ or internet banking, where feasible 4) Adopt protocols for dealing with persons who, for the protection of their health, wish to enter the banking premises wearing masks.

Such clients must temporarily reveal

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diaspora who could hear echoes of their own mothers and grandmothers in her address. Others around the world are clamoring for her to-the-point leadership style. Soon, (video) remixes appeared.

Jacobs acknowledged that a lot of people in Sint Maarten are angry about the severity of the lockdown she’s ordered, but she isn’t backing down.

“Someone told me, ‘You’re starting to sound like the Suriname general,’” Jacobs said in reference to Desi Bouterse, the autocratic leader of Suriname who has been connected to the murders of opposition figures. “But it looks as if, at times, that is what is needed: a tough, hard exterior for people to listen.”

Jacobs, who just took office in November, added that while many of the measures may feel extreme, there are unique challenges facing countries like hers. Sint Maarten welcomes a steady stream of tourists from around the world, boosting its exposure risk to the virus — but at the same time, the nation can only provide limited health care for its citizens.

“We only have two ICU beds,” Jacobs explained. “That means two beds where a patient can be isolated and ventilated.”

So let’s all work to not disappoint the Prime Minister — because she’s definitely coming for us if we do. the operations of the financial services sector during the extended curfew.

The Central Bank and the FSC thank all deposit-taking institutions for their understanding and urge Barbadians to adhere to the new procedures for carrying out their financial transactions to ensure everyone’s safety. The regulators also remind the public to adhere to the national protocols and warnings to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

(Central Bank of Barbados)

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For Students at a Lone School in California, Class Is Still On

By Brian Wollitz and Ali DeFazio, New York Times April 10, 2020 FARMERSVILLE, Calif. — At 7:45 on a recent morning, the strangest of scenes unfolded at Outside Creek Elementary: A school bus pulled up. Students stepped off and sauntered to class.

The principal, Derrick Bravo, greeted a parent with a friendly hey-there handshake.

It was humdrum normalcy in the most abnormal of times, as if there were no pandemic, no statewide order to shelter in place, no social-distancing directives.

Of the 10,521 public schools in California, Outside Creek is the lone holdout, a tiny school in a remote rural community in the San Joaquin Valley that is insisting on holding classes for the 21 students from kindergarten through eighth grade who showed up last week.

Mr. Bravo, who is also the school’s superintendent and eighth-grade teacher, said he and the school board did not make the decision lightly. Yes, local health authorities had urged all schools to close, and every other school in Tulare County had done just that after Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a shelter-in-place order for the entire state on March 19. They also knew the numbers — 10 dead so far out of at least 187 residents in the county who have tested positive for the coronavirus.

But when Mr. Bravo turned to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for advice, the nation’s leading authority on infectious diseases seemed to suggest in its written guidance that small schools outside hot spots could remain open if they took precautions. And then Mr. Bravo thought about the everyday struggles of the families who work the citrus and walnut groves here. Nearly every one of his students qualifies for free or subsidized lunches, and remote learning is a fantasy for the many families who cannot afford internet access.

“We thought about just

our rural area and the resources available for our kids,” Mr. Bravo said.

As the spread of the novel coronavirus accelerates across the United States, Outside Creek illustrates the challenge of enforcing uniform social-distancing policies in a country that prizes local control over schools.

Under California law, only one official other than Mr. Bravo has the power to close Outside Creek — the governor. Mr. Newsom has repeatedly called on every school in the state to remain closed for the rest of the academic year.

His shelter-in-place order is also unequivocal: “Everyone in California is required to stay home except to get food, care for a relative or friend, get necessary health care, or go to an essential job,” it reads.

Outside Creek may be the only school, not just the only public school, still open in California; representatives of the state’s 3,315 private schools said they knew of no private school that has defied Mr. Newsom’s order.

Yet Mr. Newsom, well aware of Tulare County’s conservative politics, has refrained from confronting Outside Creek. His spokesman would say only this: “School officials should use guidance from federal, state and local public officials in deciding how best to serve students.”

Karen Elliott, the county’s public health director, has stressed that it is best for parents to keep their children home. Three-quarters of Outside Creek’s parents have decided to do just that, with their children taking independent study courses devised by Mr. Bravo’s staff.

The situation in Outside Creek is exceptionally rare not only for California, but also nationwide.

Every state has ordered or recommended school closures. While some religious schools initially dragged their feet, the overwhelming majority of the nation’s schools are now shuttered. Even in states that strongly advised schools to close without a formal mandate, like Kentucky and South Dakota, state education departments said on Tuesday that they were unaware of any open public schools.

For his part, Mr. Bravo, the superintendent, does not dispute the dangers of this virus. Door handles at Outside Creek are disinfected constantly. Students sanitize their

© Ryan Christopher Jones for The New York Times Tulare County, Calif., is largely rural, and many students who attend Outside Creek Elementary do not have internet access at home. desks. Tape is stuck on the cafeteria floor at six-foot intervals to space out the lunch line. But social distancing is easier said than done in elementary school. On a recent day, children converged into tangled clusters as they played ball on the playground.

Tony Thurmond, California’s superin-

tendent for public instruction, has urged Mr. Bravo to reconsider his decision and fall in line. “Quite frankly,” he said at a news conference, “none of us knows when it’s safe enough for our students to return to campus.”

BT: For the complete story please go to msn.com/en-us/news

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Africa does not need saving during this pandemic

By Robtel Neajai Pailey, Aljazeera April 13, 2020 It was inevitable that racism would rear its ugly head.

Having previously documented the long and shameful history of unethical drug testing on communities of colour across the globe, I was not surprised earlier this month when two French doctors proclaimed on national television that Africa would be the most appropriate location for a coronavirus vaccine trial. Never mind that this continent has the lowest recorded number of cases regionally.

For bigots who operate under the appalling assumption that black, brown, and other non-white bodies are easily expendable during times of crisis, COVID-19 presents the perfect storm. Yet, instead of expending energy on denouncing the doctors’ asinine comments, as so many have already done, we should be reflecting on what Africa and other regions of the so-called Global South have to teach the world in this collective moment of reckoning.

Call me naive in the heyday of apocalyptic projections about infections and deaths to come, but I prefer to focus on the silver lining.

This is in some ways why I have been rolling my eyes at countless doomsday commentaries published by Western media outlets in which so-called Global North “experts” have argued that Africa, a continent of 54 diverse countries rumoured to be the final frontier of coronavirus, desperately needs saving. My response? Puh-lease!

Ordinary Africans, and their counterparts in Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, are not navel-gazing or waiting around for the “mighty” Global North - itself in the bullseye of the virus - to come to the rescue. Even in the midst of constraints unheard of in Europe and North America, Global South folks are exemplifying the kind of ingenuity, generosity, solidarity, empathy and civility from which we all must learn. We should be borrowing from this playbook, not casting it aside.

Let’s start with my own country, Liberia, once destabilised by a 14-year intermittent armed conflict

A health worker checks the temperature of a traveller as part of the coronavirus screening procedure at the Kotoka Airport in Accra, Ghana on January 30, 2020 [File: Reuters/Francis Kokoroko]

in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. During the deadliest ever Ebola outbreak of 2014-2016, which killed more than 11,000 in West Africa alone, 22-year-old Liberian student nurse Fatu Kekula single-handedly treated three family members at home when they fell ill. She transformed rubbish bags into aprons,

Once vilified for its socialist leadership and harshly sanctioned by the West, this island nation has a long history of dispatching health missions in times of calamity and tranquillity.

In keeping with Cuba’s efforts in Italy, Somalia followed suit by sending 20 doctors to aid the southern European country. Lest we forget, this

gloves and masks which became her very own retrofitted personal protective equipment (PPE) - a technique that resource-strapped healthcare workers in Europe and North America are now replicating.

Indeed, the Global South has both exported innovation and disseminated much needed “staff, stuff and systems”.While critiques abound, Cuba’s late March deployment of 52 medical workers to Italy was a stark and important exemplar of “South to North” medical humanitarianism.

Horn of Africa nation is recovering from protracted warfare, including current threats from al-Shabab armed fighters, which makes its intervention all the more admirable.

Though the United States has tightened sanctions against conflict-affected Iran and slammed crisis-prone Venezuela with narcoterrorism charges, countries across the Southern hemisphere have extended olive branches of support while the pandemic nears its peak.

Having faced virulent forms of

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Sinophobia as the initial epicentre of coronavirus, China has begun a global campaign to distribute medical supplies and expertise to African countries such as Algeria and Nigeria, with plans to deploy personnel to Europe, the Middle East and the Gulf in due course. Although not without controversy, such is the beauty of “South-South” cooperation.

Whereas others parroted early on the racist edict that COVID-19 was exclusively a Wuhan epidemic, Chinese philanthrocapitalist Jack Ma, of tech giant Alibaba fame, was one of the first billionaires to spring into action when he pledged $14m in late January to develop a vaccine to tame the virus. Regional heavyweight South Korea also proved its mettle by getting ahead of the curve with nation-wide testing and quarantining, earning international plaudits in the process.

In the likeness of South Korea’s proactive approach to virus prevention, Zimbabwe’s universities have shown that necessity is the mother of all inventions. As the country battles a chronic economic recession, including hyperinflation, with healthcare workers striking across the country, universities are manufacturing gloves, masks and hand sanitizers amidst a 21-day lockdown. Farther east, a factory in Kenya now produces 30,000 surgical masks a day to meet heightened national demand.

South Africa also has important lessons to impart. Because of their experience in researching and testing for HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases, it has started developing locally-made COVID-19 tests and will embark shortly on a clinical trial for a vaccine.

It has been said a disease transported by upwardly mobile jet-setters - who have the wherewithal to huddle at homes and the resources to practice physical distancing when necessary is now killing the poor and sedentary, who do not.

Africa and other regions of the Global South have already demonstrated that they are far from passive centres for medical experimentation.

Rather, they are the sites of homegrown solutions which should be transmitted globally.

As the celebrated Indian author and activist Arundhati Roy reminds us, coronavirus has not only exposed nature’s wrath against the crudeness of capitalism, but also forced us to imagine a better world beyond flattened curves, and, might I add, racist vitriol.

Editor’s Note: For the complete story please go to Aljazeera.com

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